Como Zoo cougar scratches man who climbed exhibit barrier

A man was scratched on the hand by a cougar Thursday at the Como Zoo after he allegedly climbed the outer railing of the animal's exhibit.

Brian Phillips, 23, of Minneapolis apparently climbed a guardrail about 3:30 p.m. and reached through a secondary mesh barrier at the cougar exhibit, Como Park Zoo and Conservatory spokesperson Matt Reinartz said.

"When the zoo staff approached the man, he was on the ground, standing on the ground, leaning against the mesh, and yelling very loudly at the cougars," Reinartz said.

Police cited the man for interfering with the animals.

It's very rare that someone tries to get over animal exhibit barriers at the zoo, Reinartz said. "Safety for our visitors and animals is our number one priority," he added. "People will go to great lengths to make poor decisions, and when poor decisions are made it puts both the individuals and animals at great risk."