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Woman Scales Barriers, Fences to Pet Elephants at LA Zoo
Photo by Marion Doss via Flickr
A woman visiting the LA Zoo yesterday decided to climb over ditches and protective barriers in order to commune with the elephants. KTLA reports that the woman, whose name hasn't been released, announced to onlookers that she was "going to go pet the elephants now," then proceeded to climb over several fences and through a ditch or two before reaching the gentle giants. She stayed in the exhibit with them for about five minutes, and did manage to pet on, according to witnesses.
Finally, at the behest of zoo personnel (who didn't, curiously, go in after her) she came out on her own.
She was ultimately taken into custody and treated for mental illnesses.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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