NEW YORK (September 23, 2012)--New York City police say they plan to arrest a man who was mauled by a tiger at the Bronx Zoo.

David Villalobos, 25, told investigators that he deliberately leaped into a zoo exhibit because he wanted to "be one with the tiger, " and not to commit suicide, NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said.

Browne says the hospitalized victim will be charged with trespassing.

Villalobos remained hospitalized in stable condition Saturday after the 400-pound cat bit him in the back.

He also suffered broken bones in the jump Friday from an elevated train that circles the exhibit.

The police spokesman says that when a police officer asked Villalobos why he did it, the victim responded, "Everybody in life makes choices."