Omaha police say a tiger bit an apparently intoxicated woman who broke into a Nebraska zoo to pet a big cat.

Officer James Shade says the 33-year-old woman suffered a severe hand injury in the incident at the Omaha Zoo early Sunday.

Shade say officers were called to the Creighton University Medical Center around 7:20 a.m. after the injured woman showed up. He says she was acting aggressively and appeared to be intoxicated.

Police determined that she had sneaked into the zoo and was bitten when she reached into the tiger exhibit.

The zoo said in a statement that it was likely an 18-year-old Malayan tiger called Mai bit the woman, and asserted that safety and security are priorities at the facility.

Get the Monitor Stories you care about delivered to your inbox. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy

The woman has been cited for criminal trespass.

In the fall of 2012, Michael J. Watkins broke into the Idaho zoo. after a bout of drinking, and tried to steal a monkey. He failed and beat the monkey to death. He was convicted of grand theft larceny and animal cruelty and sentenced to 7 years in prison, reported The Associated Press. The judge also recommended substance abuse and grief treatment.