The N.Y. man who jumped from the Bronx Zoo monorail into a tiger's den on Friday, has been identified as David Villalobos, a former real estate agent with Bond New York.
Villalobos, 25, was hospitalized with broken bones and bites suffered during the roughly 10 minutes he was in physical contact with the tiger. He had severe puncture wounds to his shoulders and back, after being mangled by a 400-pound Siberian tiger named Bachuta, according to The Real Deal.
When asked by police why he made the leap that almost ended his life, Villalobos said, "Everybody in life makes choices."
The former real estate agent worked for Bond for about seven months last year, representing rental units. According to The Real Deal, Villalobos stopped showing up for work and was no longer with the company for about six months.
Bond's founder Bruno Ricciotti released a statement late Friday after the news broke. According to The Real Deal, he said, "On behalf of BOND New York we would like to extend our sincerest well wishes to David for a speedy recovery. He and his family are in our thoughts and prayers."
Zoo workers distracted the cat, long enough for Villalobos to be brought to safety, and that's what saved his life. He was listed in serious condition at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, according to The Real Deal. The former Bond employee also suffered a broken arm and leg.
According to LA Times, zoo director Jim Breheny said this was the first time in the 35 years, since the monorail opened that someone had done what Villalobos did.
"Tigers are extremely capable predators. What they typically do is grab a prey animal either by the head or by the back of the neck, and it's over very quickly," he said.
"This cat did not do this to the individual. I think it was just the tiger's response and the fact we got there so quickly ... that saved the guy's life."
On Saturday, Villalobos was charged with misdemeanor trespassing.
