Ohio’s temporary housing facility for dangerous wild animals opened in March 2013. Here’s a look at details about the taxpayer-funded facility, which has so far housed 35 animals:
- Animals boarded include 27 alligators, one crocodile, four bears, one cougar, one timber wolf and one serval cat.
- No animals have been euthanized.
- Animals have been relocated to accredited sanctuaries or rescues in five states: California, Florida, Michigan, South Carolina and South Dakota.
- The longest stay at the facility has been 66 days. The shortest has been overnight.
- The building, at nearly 20,000 square feet, can hold up to 30 large animals. It has four secured enclosures for primates and features a snake and reptile room.
- Animal enclosures have 6-gauge wire and six padlocks.
- Seventeen 360-degree cameras monitor the facility.
- Animals are fed or cared for once or twice a day.
- Columbus Zoo employees provide additional help, if necessary, through a state contract.
- Creatures are given enrichment activities to stimulate natural behaviors. (Bears get balls and ice blocks with food; alligators get heat lamps and basking pads.)
- Several Ohio zoos reviewed safety policies and procedures at the facility this month, prompted in part after a bear nipped a college intern on the finger.
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Source: Ohio Department of Agriculture
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