Abraham, a biology major student at Worcester State University, was reportedly spotted by a staff of the zoo in a private outdoor area behind the tiger enclosure around 8.45am on Monday, February 21.
He is said to have climbed multiple fences before getting to that area, but fled when he saw some zoo workers approaching him.
The zoo security launched a search to track him down and after he was found, they ran medical check on him but he had no injuries. They also ran a mental check on him and he was said to be mentally stable, police spokesman David Procopio said.
Speaking on why he took the rash decision to go into the tiger enclosure, Abraham told authorities that he had a keen interest in tigers.
“I was there as a spectator of the zoo. I didn’t mean to harm anybody. I wasn’t looking to harm the tiger.
“I wasn’t looking to harm myself either. My plan was just to go see what is a tiger. How would a tiger react to a human being?”
He added that he planned to stay 20 feet away from the wild animal at all times but wanted to be able to look it in the eyes.
“They say the eye of the tiger is the most dangerous thing you’ll ever see in your whole life. They say that the soul is visible through the eye.”
Following interrogation, he was later charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct. However, when he was asked if he would try again, Abraham said, “Go see a tiger? I don’t know. Maybe.”
