Social media stunt at Pittsburgh Zoo ends with man facing charges

(NewsNation) — A self-proclaimed social media influencer is facing charges after police say he climbed into an elephant enclosure at the Pittsburgh Zoo.

Noah Thomas, 19, of Ohio, is charged with causing or risking catastrophe; criminal trespass and conspiracy; third-degree felony charges; recklessly endangering another person and cruelty to animals; second-degree misdemeanors and theft of services.

According to the criminal complaint, obtained by NewsNation affiliate WKBN, Thomas and a woman entered the zoo, despite Thomas not having a ticket, and they entered through a temporary exit area that was under construction. They then went to the elephant barn, where Thomas jumped a fence and approached the elephants’ holding area, according to the complaint.

A video posted on Instagram on Sept. 22, captioned, “Professional gate jumper. Almost elephant food,” shows the encounter and was cited in the complaint.

In the video, the elephant appears to charge at Thomas, ramming a gate and swinging its trunk toward him. Thomas backed away and jumped back over the fence.

Police said about 25 adults and children were in the elephant barn at the time, and witnesses reported the incident to zoo staff. Security later escorted Thomas and the woman out and provided investigators with their vehicle’s license plate number.

The complaint notes Thomas’ actions endangered himself, zoo staff and visitors. No court date has been set.