Zoo Owner Frees Animals, Kills Self

Townspeople cowered indoors today as deputies with high-powered rifles hunted down and killed lions, bears and dozens of other exotic beasts that escaped from a wild-animal preserve after the owner threw their cages open and committed suicide. After an all-night hunt, at least 30 of the 48 escaped animals had been gunned down. As of mid-morning, officers were still hunting for a grizzly bear, mountain lion and monkey. Schools closed, parents were warned to keep children and pets indoors and flashing signs along highways told motorists, “Caution exotic animals” and “Stay in vehicle.” “It’s like Noah’s ark, like, wrecking right here in Zanesville, Ohio,” said Jack Hanna, former director of the Columbus Zoo/ Associated Press . More here. (AP photo: Columbus Zoo director emeritus Jack Hanna, right, and Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz speak during a news conference today.)

Question: Is there a moral to this story — other than that private zoos like this should be outlawed?