In light of new information about the abusive conditions endured by a threatened grizzly bear and endangered leopards on the farm of Terry Thompson—who released dozens of wild animals (most of whom were shot by law enforcement) outside Zanesville, Ohio, last October, before killing himself—PETA has sent another urgent letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) renewing its requests for an investigation into whether the animals were harmed or harassed in violation of the Endangered Species Act and asking that the surviving animals not be returned to Thompson's widow, Marian.

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Injuries and Inadequacy

Tom Stalf of the Columbus Zoo, where the animals are currently being housed, described the condition of the animals as "horrific." Stalf stated that the grizzly bear was relegated to a bird cage set in a drained pool and was aggressively chewing on the cage when authorities found the animal. The Columbus Zoo also reported that when one of the leopards was injured at the zoo, X-rays showed old injuries, including a broken back and tail bones, that had not healed. The animal was subsequently euthanized.

The grizzly bear, two leopards, and two macaques are the only remaining survivors of last year's tragedy. They are quarantined at the zoo by order of the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Ms. Thompson is awaiting a hearing to challenge the order and seeks to regain possession of the animals.

How You Can Help the Surviving Animals

While PETA works to keep the survivors safe, you can help by calling the FWS Office of Law Enforcement at 703-358-1949 to politely urge the agency to investigate whether the Endangered Species Act was violated and to ensure that the animals are not returned to Marian Thompson.

© Peter Malsbury | iStockphoto.com

Less than two weeks after four dozen wild and exotic animals were shot to death in Zanesville, Ohio, there's still somebody out there who didn't get the message that privately owning exotic animals is a recipe for disaster—and that somebody is Marian Thompson, the wife of the man who owned (and released) all the animals in the first place. Ms. Thompson is demanding that four of the six survivors—a grizzly bear and three leopards—in temporary quarantine at the Columbus Zoo, be returned to her immediately.

PETA has sent urgent letters to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Muskingum County prosecutor imploring them not to return the animals until investigations into whether the animals were harmed or harassed in violation of the Endangered Species Act and/or Ohio's anti-cruelty laws are conducted. It appears that the animals may have been obtained without proper permits in the first place and that they were kept in filthy conditions with insufficient food, water, and/or shade—all violations of the law. On top of it, public records indicate that there are nearly $70,000 in liens hanging over Ms. Thompson's head, leaving her ill-equipped to properly take care of the animals.

While we continue to fight to keep the survivors safe, you can help by e-mailing the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to politely urge the agency to exercise its authority to implement emergency regulations to prohibit the keeping of exotic and wild animals.

Written by Amanda Schinke

Following last week's killing of dozens of wild animals in Zanesville, Ohio, PETA supporters gathered in front of the Ohio statehouse today calling on Gov. John Kasich to ban ownership of wild animals as "pets" immediately, before other tragedies occur. Earlier this year, the governor refused to extend an emergency ban on keeping captive exotic animals that had been put in place by his predecessor.

In a letter to Gov. Kasich, PETA noted that there are at least 10 wild-animal facilities in Ohio that are accidents waiting to happen. One facility in Massillon that holds more than 100 animals—including tigers, lions, pumas, jaguars, bears, and wolves—was found this year to be keeping tigers in an enclosure that had no top and was not tall enough to keep the animals contained. Another facility, in Perrysburg, was found to be keeping adult lions and wolves in enclosures that would not prevent them from jumping out.

Ohio's dangerously lax laws about wild-animal ownership have already resulted in human deaths, including a man who was mauled by a bear kept by notorious wild-animal exhibitor Sam Mazzola. To help prevent additional tragedies involving captive wild animals, click here to urge the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to exercise its authority to implement emergency regulations prohibiting private citizens from keeping wild animals.

Written by Heather Faraid Drennan