COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio is one of the most difficult places to own exotic animals in the U.S., with a comprehensive ban on many animals. Although Ohioans cannot own lions, tigers or bears, there are some exotic pets permitted in the Buckeye state.

Although nearly all pets require licensing, there are exotic pets that are strictly off-limits in Ohio. Nondomestic animals are not allowed to be imported into Ohio unless the animal has a permit, is free of any diseases and parasites, and is in full compliance with state and federal regulations. Some animals also have other permit restrictions.

It has been difficult to own wild animals since the Dangerous Wild Animals Act was signed into law in June 2012. After an incident known as the Zanesville zoo massacre, Ohio cracked down on the possession of wild animals.

According to NBC, Terry Thompson set his elaborate exotic animal farm free before killing himself in 2011. Thompson, 62, released tigers, lions, bears and more from his home menagerie, all of which had to be killed or caught by local law enforcement. After just six animals were captured alive – three leopards, a grizzly bear and two monkeys – and the remaining 48 animals were killed, exotic pet laws in Ohio understandably tightened. 

Animals that are not allowed

In Ohio, people are barred from possessing any “dangerous wild animal,” as outlined in the Ohio Revised Code. Below are the animals banned from ownership under any circumstances.

These animals are not allowed even as hybrids, or animals where one parent was on that list and another was a more domestic animal. Other animals that are not allowed include penguins, dolphins and koalas, as these animals are protected against ownership at the national level.

Animals that are allowed

Animals that are not listed in the Ohio Revised Code as dangerous animals allow a little more flexibility, although possession of these animals typically requires a lot of paperwork, at a minimum.

For example, Bovidae like antelope, wild cattle, free-roaming buffalo and wild goats are permitted, but only under proper circumstances. Ohio law says nothing about antelope, but it does say Bovidae must originate from proper herds and have appropriate medical examinations completed, especially regarding tuberculosis.

Many animals not listed under the dangerous wild animal list live in a gray area. In 2023, a Pickaway County man was attacked by his zebra and nearly lost his arm. As zebras are not dangerous wild animals, he was able to own the animal, who ended up being killed after the incident.

Although the following animals are generally permitted, owners must do research into the proper procedures for owning and caring for them, as each animal may be subject to different restrictions.

Animals that are partially allowed

Some animals are permitted in some cases, but not in others. Gray wolves, for instance, are strictly prohibited. However, wolf hybrid dogs are allowed in Ohio. Caimans are not allowed, but dwarf caimans are not considered dangerous wild animals. Servals, a type of wild cat, are prohibited, but the hybrid Savannah cat is allowed as a pet.

Monkeys are perhaps the best example. The following monkeys are not permitted as pets and are classified as dangerous wild animals.

• Tamarins
• Night monkeys
• Titi monkeys
• Muriquis
• Goeldi’s monkeys
• White-faced, black-bearded, white-nose bearded and monk sakis
• Uakaris
• Spider monkeys*
• Common woolly monkeys
• Howler monkeys

However, some monkeys are permitted, including marmosets, capuchins, lemurs and squirrel monkeys. Service spider monkeys trained by non-profits are also permitted, according to the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

Above all, it is important to check federal, state and local level regulations before taking home any pet, especially a wild animal.