19-Year-Old Noah Thomas Wanted for Allegedly Jumping Fence into Pittsburgh Zoo Elephant Enclosure

A 19-year-old social media influencer from Ohio is wanted by Pittsburgh authorities after he allegedly scaled a fence and entered the elephant enclosure at the Pittsburgh Zoo, an act he later boasted about on social media. The video of the stunt, which quickly spread across various online platforms before being removed, showed Noah Thomas approaching a massive elephant inside its habitat while joking that he was “almost elephant food.” The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from zoo officials, law enforcement, and animal welfare advocates, who say the young man’s actions endangered not only his life but also those of the animals and other visitors present that day

A Reckless Act Caught on Camera

According to a criminal complaint obtained by WKBN, the incident occurred on September 21, when Noah Thomas and an unidentified woman allegedly entered the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium without purchasing tickets. Instead, the pair reportedly gained access through a temporary exit, bypassing security measures and official entry procedures. Once inside, Noah Thomas made his way to the elephant enclosure, one of the zoo’s most popular and heavily protected attractions.

Video evidence, later circulated on social media, shows Thomas leaping over a safety barrier and walking directly into the elephant exhibit. In the footage, he can be heard making jokes about the dangerous situation, even laughing as he approaches the large animal. Witnesses said the elephant appeared alert and agitated, raising its trunk and stepping toward Noah Thomas, who backed away briefly before moving closer again. “Almost elephant food!” he reportedly exclaimed, mocking the peril he had placed himself in.

While the clip initially drew attention for its shock value, many social media users quickly condemned the act, calling it “irresponsible,” “reckless,” and “an example of clout chasing gone too far.” Others tagged the Pittsburgh Zoo’s official account to alert them to the incident. The video has since been taken down from Thomas’s Instagram page, though portions of it remain visible on his TikTok profile, where he has gained a modest following for posting public pranks and local interviews.

Law enforcement officials said several bystanders notified zoo staff immediately after the trespass. Security officers located Noah Thomas and the woman a short time later in the aquarium section of the zoo. Both were escorted out of the premises without incident, but investigators recorded their vehicle’s license plate number for follow-up.

Serious Charges for a Dangerous Stunt

The Pittsburgh Police Department confirmed on Friday that Noah Thomas is facing multiple charges stemming from the zoo incident, though he is not yet in custody. The charges include third-degree felonies for causing or risking catastrophe, criminal trespass, and conspiracy, along with second-degree misdemeanors for recklessly endangering another person, cruelty to animals, and theft of services.

Police say that Thomas’s actions could have led to catastrophic consequences. Elephants, while generally docile under the supervision of their handlers, are known to react unpredictably when they feel threatened or startled. The sheer size and strength of the animals make any close encounter without proper barriers extremely dangerous. “This was not a harmless prank,” a Pittsburgh law enforcement official said. “It was a reckless act that placed multiple lives at risk.”

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The Pittsburgh Zoo has stressed the gravity of the situation in an official statement. “Mr. Thomas’s actions endangered himself, our visitors, and the animals under our care,” the statement read. “The barriers and restricted zones exist for a reason — both to protect our guests and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the wildlife. Breaching these boundaries is not only illegal but deeply irresponsible.”

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The zoo further confirmed that the incident is now under investigation by the Pittsburgh Police and the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office. “We are cooperating fully with law enforcement, and we will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure incidents like this do not happen again,” the zoo’s spokesperson said.

Authorities have not released any additional details about Thomas’s current whereabouts, though his last known address is listed in Austintown, Ohio, a township located near Youngstown. The Independent reported that as of Friday afternoon, Thomas had not been taken into custody, and a warrant remains active for his arrest.

The Rise — and Risk — of Social Media Stunts

The incident involving Noah Thomas highlights a growing trend among young social media influencers who risk their safety — and sometimes their freedom — to capture viral content. Over the past several years, police departments and public institutions across the country have reported a spike in trespassing, vandalism, and other dangerous behavior tied to online clout chasing.

In Thomas’s case, his social media accounts show a pattern of risky behavior. In addition to the Pittsburgh Zoo stunt, his pages feature footage of him entering locations without permission and filming dramatic interactions. One recent video shows him walking into a Dollar General store where a car had crashed through the front entrance; a store manager can be heard ordering him to leave as he continues filming. Another clip shows him conducting impromptu interviews with pedestrians in Youngstown, apparently without regard for private property or consent.

Experts say this type of content is part of a larger phenomenon known as “extreme engagement seeking,” where creators escalate their actions to attract more views, followers, and sponsorship opportunities. “Social validation has become currency,” said a media psychologist from Ohio State University. “When someone’s identity and livelihood depend on online attention, they’re often willing to push ethical and physical boundaries to get it.”

The consequences, however, can be devastating. In recent years, multiple influencers have been injured or killed while filming risky stunts — from cliff jumps and train surfing to breaking into restricted areas. Zoos, in particular, have been a frequent target for viral challenges. In 2019, a woman in New York made headlines for entering a lion’s enclosure at the Bronx Zoo, prompting officials nationwide to increase surveillance and signage at animal exhibits.

Animal behavior specialists warn that incidents like Thomas’s not only jeopardize human safety but also place enormous stress on the animals involved. “An elephant confronted with an unfamiliar person inside its space perceives a threat,” said Dr. Rachel Stevens, a zoologist specializing in animal welfare. “It may react defensively, which could lead to injury or death — not just for the person but for the animal if zoo staff are forced to intervene.”

Public Backlash and Ongoing Investigation

The public response to Noah Thomas’s alleged actions has been swift and overwhelmingly negative. Comment sections under reposted versions of the video have been flooded with criticism, with many users demanding accountability. “It’s not funny. You scared that poor animal,” one commenter wrote. “He should be banned from every zoo in the country,” said another.

Pittsburgh residents have expressed frustration that someone would treat such a dangerous act as entertainment. “Our zoo is a family place, not a playground for YouTubers,” said one visitor interviewed by a local news outlet. “He’s lucky that elephant didn’t crush him.” Meanwhile, legal experts say Thomas’s case could set an example for how authorities deal with social media trespassing in protected areas. The inclusion of causing or risking catastrophe among his charges signals that prosecutors are taking the matter seriously. Under Pennsylvania law, that felony charge can carry up to seven years in prison.

“The combination of criminal trespass and reckless endangerment is serious enough,” said a Pittsburgh-based defense attorney familiar with similar cases. “But when you add the element of filming and posting it for profit or notoriety, it demonstrates intent. That’s something courts are increasingly willing to punish to deter copycats.”

While the Pittsburgh Zoo has declined to discuss specific security enhancements following the incident, officials emphasized that safety remains their top priority. They noted that surveillance cameras across the facility capture nearly every section of public space, and the zoo regularly reviews footage to detect any suspicious activity. “We want to remind our guests that crossing any protective barrier is not only illegal but also potentially deadly,” the statement reiterated.

As of now, investigators continue to track Thomas’s location, and authorities have urged him to turn himself in. The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office has confirmed it will pursue full prosecution once he is apprehended. The Pittsburgh Zoo, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, has been a landmark for wildlife conservation and education for decades. Officials say incidents like this threaten to overshadow the institution’s mission and disrupt the delicate balance between public engagement and animal care.

In the wake of the incident, advocacy groups have renewed calls for stricter penalties against individuals who enter animal enclosures. They argue that existing fines and misdemeanors are insufficient to deter reckless thrill-seekers seeking social media fame. “Every time someone jumps a fence for likes, they set back the cause of animal protection,” said Dr. Stevens. “We need stronger laws that recognize the real dangers these actions create.”

For now, the video that sparked the controversy continues to circulate in fragments across social platforms, serving as a cautionary reminder of the lengths some influencers will go to for online attention. While Noah Thomas remains wanted by authorities, his brief moment of viral fame may ultimately cost him far more than he anticipated — including his freedom.

As Pittsburgh police continue their investigation, officials have urged anyone with knowledge of Thomas’s whereabouts to contact them directly. What began as an ill-conceived attempt at internet notoriety has become a criminal case symbolizing the dark side of digital fame — one that highlights how a few seconds of reckless behavior can have lasting, real-world consequences.