The tigers began to circle below the man, but workers were able to move the big cats to another portion of the enclosure so zoo workers could rescue the 42-year-old man.
Zoo worker Wang Jianluo, who is in charge of chairlift safety at the facility, told Central China Television the man admitted he “didn’t do a good somersault” out of his chair.
“After hearing that, I don’t know what to say to him,” Wang said.
The man told police he was overcome with excitement while traveling over the tiger enclosure, leading him to jump. Police said the man could face a charge of disturbing public order.
