Story By: Kathryn Quinn, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
A schoolkid had a lucky escape after he jumped into a cheetah enclosure at a German zoo whilst on a school visit.
The 16-year-old was visiting the Zoo in Erfurt, the capital of Thuringia in central Germany with classmates as part of a school trip.
According to local media reports the 16-year-old male pupil claimed into the cheetah enclosure by climbing over the fence.
He then approached the cheetahs getting within ten metres of them, before turning round and climbing back out of the enclosure as onlookers watched on in horror.
The boy reportedly got with ten metres (32 feet) of the wild animals before turning back to get out of the enclosure.
Police and ambulance were called to the scene, but the boy was able to free himself and was not injured in the incident.
A police spokesman confirmed: “The teenager was at the zoo as part of a school trip from his school in Erfurt. He somehow got the idea to climb over the protective fencing into the cheetah enclosure.
It is not known why the boy jumped into the enclosure. Local media claim it could have been part of a dare or a show of courage, but this is something that is being investigated.
Police are investigating the case and the boy could face trespassing charges, according to police.
The ViralTab page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.
