THIS is the hilarious moment a young lad gets the fright of his life as a tiger pounced for him at a zoo.

The young lad was posing for a photo at Dublin Zoo when the tiger leapt forward and tried to catch him - but thankfully the glass barrier was there to protect him.

6 While the young lad looks, the tiger freezes in its tracks Credit: Twitter/R0bc

6 But once the smiley lad is facing the camera, the tiger sees its opportunity to strike Credit: Twitter/R0bc

The amazing video of the lad, referred to as Sean, was posted on Twitter.

RobC posted the shocking scene with the caption: "My son was on the menu in Dublin Zoo today #raar."

As Sean stared at the animal through the glass, the tiger seemed to freeze, as if its plans to pounce without being caught had been spoilt.

A woman in the background points out that the tiger is hunting, just before young Sean turns his back to pose for the camera.

However, while Sean turns his back on the glass, the cunning tiger sees his opportunity to meet the boy face-to-face.

Within two seconds, the animal leapt towards the glass wall, pouncing at the boy before hitting the protective barrier.

6 Unaware of the pouncing tiger, Sean continued to smile for the camera Credit: Twitter/R0bc

6 Meeting face-to-face, the cunning tiger gave the lad the fright of his life Credit: Twitter/R0bc

In the background, people watching the tiger face-on can be heard screeching in fear as the animal gets a little too close for comfort.

But despite how close the tiger was, laughs erupted as the young lad quickly ran from the glass after being given a fright.

Twitter users reacted to the astonishing video with shock and sympathy.

One said: "That is a bit naughty, laughing at the poor child.."

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Another said: "Tiger's head is gonna hurt tomorrow, solid headbutt to the glass."

A third tweeted: "Wow! You would just have no chance against the tiger.

"Just as well the glass is thick for protection, if I was the zoo keeper I'd be checking that glass that it still comes up to safety standards."

6 After knocking against the glass barrier, the young lad ran away while laughter erupted at the zoo Credit: Twitter/R0bc

6 Defeated in his mission, the tiger looked at the young lad through the glass, unable to reach him Credit: Twitter/R0bc

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