Missing Zanesville monkey may carry herpes virus

ZANESVILLE, Ohio -- A macaque monkey that may carry a form of the herpes virus is the final animal on the loose in Ohio after dozens in a private collection were let out of their cages Tuesday before their owner killed himself, authorities said.

A wolf and a grizzly bear Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz said earlier were unaccounted for were found dead on the property of Terry Thompson, 61, found shot to death in his driveway. The sheriff said he suspects that Mr. Thompson let the animals out and committed suicide but an autopsy is underway.

The macaque might carry the herpes B virus, authorities said, which is common and benign in the species of monkey but could cause greater problems in humans.

"We've had 30 to 35 incidents in which we've sent patrol cars to his property since 2004 or 2005 for animals at large, animal cruelty, inhumane treatment of animals," the sheriff said.

He described Mr. Thompson as a troubled man who was separated from his wife and had recently been released from federal prison for what the sheriff believed were firearms violations.

Deputies arrived near dusk, carried no tranquilizers and were forced to shoot animals so they couldn't escape into nearby woods, he said.

"There was all kinds of danger" to the public, he said. Two were shot in a neighbor's yard.

A team from the Columbus Zoo arrived to capture the remainder.

Debbie Leahy, a captive-wildlife specialist from the Humane Society of the United States, said the entire situation could have been prevented if the Ohio governor had enforced one particular executive order that his predecessor signed before leaving office. She didn't blame the officers for shooting the animals.

"The sad reality is that lethal force is required in these situations for public safety," Ms. Leahy said. "It's unfortunate that rural officers are forced to deal with rampaging chimpanzees and tigers running amok because of lax laws."

According to officials, the animals killed included 18 Bengal tigers, two wolves, six black bears, two grizzly bears, nine male lions, eight lionesses, one baboon and three mountain lions.

Taken to the Columbus zoo under quarantine were a grizzly bear, two leopards and two other monkeys.

First published on October 19, 2011 at 12:43 pm