NYPD: Mauled Man Chose to Jump Into Tiger’s Den

Authorities say a man mauled by a tiger at the Bronx Zoo told a police officer he made a conscious decision to jump into the animal’s den.

NYPD spokesman Paul Browne has identified the victim as 25-year-old David Villalobos.

Villalobos remained hospitalized in stable condition Saturday after making a dramatic leap from a monorail into the exhibit that’s home to the 400-pound cat.

The police spokesman says that when a responding police officer asked Villalobos why he did it, the victim responded, “Everybody in life makes choices.”

Browne says that Villalobos’ Facebook page suggests he’s an animal lover but gives no further clues about his motive.