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"Taunting" really isn't a good word to use here since tigers usually don't understand English all that way.

Teasing is much better.

On the other hand, even if the tiger was teased, she shouldn't have been able to leap out of the enclosure.

Now if she spoke English that would be a whole 'nuther matter!

""Taunting" really isn't a good word to use here since tigers usually don't understand English all that way."

Main Entry: 2taunt
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: perhaps from Middle French tenter to try, tempt — more at tempt
Date: 1539
: to reproach or challenge in a mocking or insulting manner : jeer at

I'm sure the tiger took the provoking acts and gestures as torments. Teasing implies pettiness, or a playfulness that obfuscates the fundamental essence of these acts as torments.

"even if the tiger was teased, she shouldn't have been able to leap out of the enclosure."

The motivation to leap out of the cage was caused by the tormenting with the slingshots, not the wall height.