Man put his daughter in the elephant zone at a zoo and they had to escape an attack

A father has been arrested on suspicion of putting his two-year-old daughter in danger after taking her to the elephant zone to have her picture taken with the animals at the San Diego Zoo.

The man evaded various obstacles and “intentionally and illegally invaded” the habitat of Asian and African elephants. Friday afternoon, zoo spokesman Andrew James said.

A video of the incident provided to NBC San Diego show when the man drops the girl while they try to run away from the corral after one of the elephants pounces on them. Fortunately, the pachyderm didn’t complete the lunge and slowed down as they approached.

The man managed to pick up the girl and get her out safely.

Police reported that the 25-year-old wanted to take a photo with the male African elephant. James reported that the elephants were unharmed.

San Diego County Jail records show that José Manuel Navarrete remains in custody and bail of $ 100,000 has been set for the investigation of put a minor in danger. His hearing is scheduled for March 30.

At this time, it is not known whether the defendant has a lawyer to speak on his behalf.

Lori Ortale, a witness, told KSWB-TV What heard a woman shout: “José, stop!” before a man jumps over the fence and enters the elephant habitat.

“Immediately several people started to say, ‘the elephant is going to attack’, and it is,” Ortale said.

“We told him to come out and he turned around and saw it just in time, thankfully,” added Jake Ortale, who also witnessed the incident. “He ran, threw his baby over the fence, and was seconds away from (the elephant) hitting him. He jumped over the fence, fell to the ground then the elephant swept away“.

“The baby started to cry and we were all mad at this guy,” she said.

After Navarrete’s arrest, the girl returned home with her mother, police said.

(With AP information)

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