Man charged in connection with trespassing at Pittsburgh Zoo, having close encounter with elephant

Police said a video posted to Instagram was a key piece of evidence as they filed charges against an Ohio man who allegedly trespassed at the Pittsburgh Zoo and had a close encounter with an elephant.The charges were filed against Noah Thomas, of Ohio, for the incident that happened on Sept. 21, which was his 19th birthday.Police said Thomas and another person entered the zoo through a temporary exit without purchasing tickets and made their way to the elephant barn.That’s where Thomas allegedly jumped a fence and approached an elephant that was behind a gate.Police located a video on Instagram that they said shows the incident, including the elephant charging the gate and throwing its trunk in an attempt to strike Thomas.Police also said there were about 25 adult and child patrons in the area at the time of the incident.They said Thomas then left the area, was later approached by security, and refused to identify himself before being escorted out.Thomas is facing multiple felony charges, including causing or risking a catastrophe.As of early Friday morning, he had not yet been arraigned.

Police said a video posted to Instagram was a key piece of evidence as they filed charges against an Ohio man who allegedly trespassed at the Pittsburgh Zoo and had a close encounter with an elephant.

The charges were filed against Noah Thomas, of Ohio, for the incident that happened on Sept. 21, which was his 19th birthday.

Police said Thomas and another person entered the zoo through a temporary exit without purchasing tickets and made their way to the elephant barn.

That’s where Thomas allegedly jumped a fence and approached an elephant that was behind a gate.

Police located a video on Instagram that they said shows the incident, including the elephant charging the gate and throwing its trunk in an attempt to strike Thomas.

Police also said there were about 25 adult and child patrons in the area at the time of the incident.

They said Thomas then left the area, was later approached by security, and refused to identify himself before being escorted out.

Thomas is facing multiple felony charges, including causing or risking a catastrophe.

As of early Friday morning, he had not yet been arraigned.