Metro

Bronx Zoo tiger leaper says he was testing his ‘natural fear’

The kook who leaped off the Bronx Zoo monorail into a tiger enclosure — where he was mauled by a 400-pound cat — told cops that “I was testing my natural fear,” court records revealed yesterday.

“You would not understand; it is a spiritual thing,” David Villalobos lectured NYPD Detective Matthew McCrosson after his Sept. 21 jump, according to the criminal complaint.“I wanted to be at one with the tiger.”

Villalobos told another cop who had asked why he jumped into the den, “Everyone makes choices, and we have our reasons in life why we do these things,” the complaint said.

The Putnam County resident, who entered a plea of not guilty in Bronx Criminal Court yesterday, was sitting on the Bronx Zoo monorail when it approached the tiger den. He suddenly got up, stood on the moving car’s railing and jumped into the tiger’s den, witnesses told cops.

That’s when a Siberian cat named Bachuta attacked Villalobos, chomping on his leg.

Villabos was hospitalized after the attack, and has been undergoing physical therapy.

While working out this week at a Westchester gym, Villalobos bragged to buddies, “This is a good thing that happened — maybe I can make some money, write a book,” a source told The Post.

He also was pleased that cops and hospital personnel referred to him as “Tarzan,” a source said.

But Villalobos kept his mouth shut yesterday during his court appearance. He was allowed to remain free without bail pending his next court appearance, on March 12.

An older couple who appeared to be Villalobos’ parents refused to comment. The woman was tearing up during the proceeding.

“David is fine, but we have no statement today,” said his lawyer, Corey Sokoler.