Zanesville, Ohio: What Happened There?

Dozens of exotic animals including tigers, lions and bears were let loose on Ohio farmland by their owner before he committed suicide, sparking a shoot-to-kill hunt in which 49 of the wild beasts, including 18 endangered Bengal tigers, were killed.

A rescued leopard is pictured at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in this photograph released to Reuters on October 20, 2011. The exotic animal collector who set free his lions, tigers, bears and other beasts was bitten in the head by a big cat shortly after committing suicide, authorities said on Thursday. Three leopards, a young grizzly bear and two macaque monkeys were recaptured and sent to the Columbus Zoo, and a zoo spokeswoman said they “were doing very well” in the zoo’s animal hospital. (Reuters)

A rescued brown bear is pictured on October 19, 2011 in this Columbus Zoo and Aquarium photograph released to Reuters on October 20, 2011. (Reuters)

A rescued macaque is pictured on October 19, 2011 in this Columbus Zoo and Aquarium photograph released to Reuters on October 20, 2011. (Reuters)

A rescued black leopard is pictured on October 19, 2011 in this Columbus Zoo and Aquarium photograph released to Reuters on October 20, 2011. (Reuters)

Columbus Zoo director emeritus Jack Hanna (R) and Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz speak to the media in Zanesville, Ohio October 19, 2011. (Reuters)

A Falls Township truck enters a property where exotic animals escaped in Zanesville, Ohio October 19, 2011. (Reuters)

A statue of a lion sits in a yard near a property from where exotic animals escaped in Zanesville, Ohio October 19, 2011. (Reuters)

Dead animals are seen on Terry Thompson’s property where exotic animals were kept in Zanesville, Ohio October 19, 2011. (Reuters)

A sign posted on Interstate 70 warns drivers of animals loose in the area around Zanesville, Ohio October 19, 2011. (Reuters)