Atlanta stands out not only for its vibrant culture and community but also for its peculiar fascination with exotic pets. Over the years, residents of this bustling city have made headlines with their wild animals, leading to both chaos and amusement in local neighborhoods. Here’s a look back at some of the most memorable moments in Atlanta’s history involving exotic pets.
In 1935, a Georgia Court of Appeals made waves when it ruled in favor of a woman from North Druid Hills. Her purse had been raided by a rogue baboon owned by Asa Candler Jr., the youngest son of Coca-Cola’s founder. This baboon, known for its mischief, was just one of the many exotic animals that resided in Candler’s private zoo. The court’s decision granted the woman $10,000 in damages for the “severe nervous shock” she suffered from the encounter. Following this incident, Candler closed the zoo and donated the animals, including the infamous baboon, to what is now known as Zoo Atlanta.
Fast forward to 1966, when Atlanta welcomed its new football franchise, the Falcons. The excitement was palpable as they introduced a live falcon mascot named Thor. However, Thor took his exit during the inaugural season when he flew away from the open-air Atlanta Stadium prior to a game against the Cleveland Browns. Jan Van Duser, a publicist for the team, lamented that Thor was “the first bird to quit the squad.” Unfortunately, three additional falcons met the same fate, leading the franchise to replace live mascots with a human-operated falcon to prevent further escapes.
In a quirky turn of events, a front-page story in the Atlanta Constitution in 1982 showcased Susie the chimpanzee, who became the life of the party one night at a bar with her owner, David Putnam. Allowing patrons to indulge her with beer, Putnam claimed she had a preference for margaritas. However, after getting drunk, Susie dashed down Piedmont Road, prompting police to intervene with a tranquilizer gun. Tragically, Susie’s escapades led to a second incident, where she bit several individuals and, without a tranquilizer available, was shot dead by the police.
In more recent years, a drug bust in Woodstock in 2014 uncovered more than just illegal substances. Officers stumbled upon a house crowded with unlicensed exotic animals, including a rare tegu lizard. These intelligent creatures are desirable as pets but are considered an invasive species and illegal to own in Georgia. As a result, three individuals were charged in connection to the bust, and the animals, including the tegu and a squirrel, were relocated for rehoming.
Fast forward to 2023, when rap artist Rick Ross added a new chapter to Atlanta’s exotic pet stories. After receiving two buffalos as a birthday gift, the animals broke free from his Fayetteville property and embarked on a neighborhood tour. One buffalo, weighing an impressive 700 pounds, was affectionately named Timbuktu. Ross took to Instagram to address the situation, amusingly encouraging neighbors to treat his “kind and peaceful” buffalos to carrots if they encountered them again. He humorously noted that while they don’t wear collars, they indeed belong to him.
Then, in 2024, social media took notice of a pair of enormous pythons that were filching the spotlight at Piedmont Park. These snakes were claimed to be domestic pets of a man who often brought them to the park for photo ops in exchange for tips. When approached by Fulton County Animal Services regarding the free-roaming snakes, a spokesperson stated that it wasn’t within their purview to intervene. Thankfully, the owner safely retrieved the snakes without any drama, eliciting a wave of humorous remarks online, including one quip about the snakes basking in the sun, playfully referencing past relationships.
History shows that Atlanta residents have always had a penchant for the wild side of pet ownership, creating both thrilling and chaotic moments for themselves and their communities. With each tale, the legacy of these exotic pets continues to capture the imagination.
image source from：atlantamagazine
