49 animals killed in Zanesville zoo rampage

In a bizarre incident Wednesday afternoon in Zanesville, Ohio, 56 exotic animals including wolves, monkeys, bears and 18 Bengal tigers were set free from a private reserve and subsequently either shot or tranquilized by police. The animals were let out of their pens by Terry Thompson, 62, who died in an apparent suicide after freeing the animals.

Thompson was released just weeks earlier from federal prison for illegal firearm possession. Officials in Zanesville had previously received and investigated complaints from residents regarding the animal farm. However, they couldn’t take any action since Thompson had the proper permits for keeping the animals. Furthermore, the laws in Ohio regulating exotic animal ownership only apply to instances where the animals are put up to the public for possible compensation.

Sadly, many of the animals were killed in order to protect the safety of town residents. According to The New York Times, one of the sheriffs in charge of the situation said they were unprepared to deal with large animals and did not normally carry tranquilizer darts, so their only choice to protect the public was to shoot.

The killing of the animals — 49 in total, some of which were endangered — led to the outrage of animal rights groups and  the general public. Just six animals consisting of three lions, a grizzly bear and two monkeys were tranquilized and sent to be quarantined at the Columbus Zoo.

There were no human attacks or injuries reported.