Five people have been charged with trying to steal the carcass of a dead lion that was among dozens of exotic animals released from a private compound by their owner in Ohio.
Late last month, police were forced to shoot 48 wild animals including bears, lions and endangered Bengal tigers after their owner, Terry Thompson, unlocked their cages before killing himself on his farm.
Police stopped four men and a teenage boy who had loaded the dead lion into a Jeep several hours after the animals were let loose.
The men were charged with a misdemeanor count of theft. Each faces up to six months in jail and a $1000 fine if convicted.
It is not known what the men planned to do with the lion's body.
