MENAGERIE

Ohio Woman May Reclaim Exotic Animals

Zoo trying to prevent her.

The strange case of the escaped Ohio animals has given way to a custody battle. The wife of the man who freed dozens of exotic animals before shooting himself is now trying to claim the six survivors—three leopards, two primates, and a young grizzly bear. But the Columbus Zoo, which has been caring for the animals since their capture but has no legal right to them, is trying to keep them. The zoo has contacted state and federal agencies to search for a way to keep the animals in its care. Ohio has some of the weakest restrictions on exotic pets, something that became apparent when Terry Thompson released some four dozen tigers, bears, lions, monkeys, and other animals. All but six were shot and killed.