Carnage in Zanesville

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Dozens of wild animals who escaped from a wildlife preserve in Ohio have been gunned down by police and sheriff’s deputies, and only two — a wolf and a monkey — are still believed at large.

The animals were freed by Terry Thompson, the preserve’s owner, who killed himself after opening all the cages, officials said.

On Tuesday night, a grizzly bear and a mountain lion were killed, but Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz told reporters he can’t be 100 percent sure how many of the 51 animals might still be roaming around Zanesville, Ohio.

Lutz and wildlife expert Jack Hanna, who will take the living animals at the preserve to the Columbus Zoo, urged the public to remain cautious, according to an ABC News report.

Lutz said his officers found grizzly bears, lions, Bengal tigers, black bears and leopards roaming the area around the preserve, many of which had to be killed.

When a veterinarian shot a tiger with a tranquilizer from 15 yards away, Lutz said,  it “just went crazy,” and started to run, so officers were forced to shoot it.

Another animal — described only as a big cat — was hit by a car on a highway, and an escaped monkey was eaten by one of the lions.

Thompson, the 61-year-old owner of the preserve, was recently released from prison after serving one year on federal weapons charges. According to investigators he has been cited in the past for animal abuse and neglect.

Sheriff Lutz warned residents to stay inside until the animals are rounded up. Several schools cancelled classes for today.

Comments

Comment from vida
Time October 19, 2011 at 6:46 pm

This is so tragic, honestly, tragic all the way around.

Comment from Jess @InStyleDog
Time October 20, 2011 at 9:31 am

Yeah, this was insanity to live through. We’re in Columbus, OH but two of my close friends are in/near Zanesville. The only positive thing is that no humans were injured by the freed animals. But I totally agree with Vida! Tragic.

Comment from Anne’n'Spencer
Time October 20, 2011 at 10:13 am

I can’t stand the thought of any animal having to suffer. But the idea that Bengal tigers had to be shot is especially distressing. In another generation or two there won’t be any more Bengal tigers. Of course we don’t want human beings endangered. But I wonder first of all if there wasn’t some way of tranquilizing the animals properly, and secondly, should private individuals be permitted to “own” wild animals.

Comment from smoketoomuch
Time October 21, 2011 at 12:39 pm

When will people learn that “Wild” animals belong in the wild?

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