For over 15,000 years, humans have tried to tame animals, learning that not every creature is meant to be subservient. As any cat owner knows, even well-adjusted pets have minds of their own. When animals accidentally escape or wander into towns and cities, chaos can ensue.
Zoos, circuses, and exotic pets have long captivated and entertained us. Yet, these attractions sometimes lead to surprising escapes. Luckily, not all incidents end tragically; many become funny stories that locals love to share. After all, the animals are often just as confused as the humans they encounter. Here are ten of the most absurd and amusing times animals ran amok among people, causing minimal harm.
The London Runaway Horses
On April 24, 2024, Londoners might have thought they were seeing the end of days. A tall white horse, bleeding down its chest and legs, galloped through the streets with a jet-black horse beside it.
Two other horses were creating chaos elsewhere in the city during rush hour. Witnesses described “total mayhem” as the horses collided with people, cars, and even a bus. The horses had escaped from a military base during a routine exercise. While they were used to the sound of guns and cannons, the sound of nearby construction startled them.
The spooked animals threw off their riders and ran. Fortunately, they were quickly caught. While some people and two horses were injured, and several vehicles were damaged, no one died. [1]
A Chinese Elephant Herd Caused over $1 Million in Damage
Horses aren’t the only animals known for causing collective havoc. From 2020 to 2021, a herd of 16 Asian elephants in China went on a 300-mile (482.8-kilometer) journey. They traveled down highways, across farmland, and through cities, causing 412 incidents of damage.
The elephants destroyed crops and farmland, costing around 6.8 million yuan, or $1.1 million. At one point, they brought an entire town to a standstill when they roamed the streets of Eshan for six hours, forcing residents to stay inside. According to experts, the herd’s inexperienced leader likely led them astray. But even with their inexperience, they proved a challenge for Chinese authorities.
Amazingly, 360 people, 76 police vehicles, and drones tried to track and stop the elephants. Roadblocks and food bait were used, but nothing worked. [2]
A State of Emergency Called for a Polar Bear Invasion
It only took a dozen elephants for people in Eshan to be told to stay indoors. But what happens when over 50 large, dangerous animals show up? In 2018, Russia’s Arctic Novaya Zemlya archipelago faced this question when about 50 polar bears settled near Belushya Guba.
The region’s governor declared a state of emergency after reports of bears attacking people and entering buildings. Residents were too scared to leave their homes or send their kids to school. Since polar bears are endangered, shooting them requires a special license, which authorities hesitated to grant.
Patrol cars, dogs, and attempts to scare the bears away initially failed. However, the polar bears eventually left by the end of February 2019. They had been drawn to an open-air landfill site in search of food. [3]
The Great Springfield Cobra Scare of 1953
Residents of Novaya Zemlya might have expected polar bears, but the people of Springfield, Missouri, likely never thought they’d be hunting cobras. From August to October 1953, that’s exactly what happened.
At least 12 venomous snakes escaped due to a dispute between a pet shop and a teenager. The teen had traded black snakes for a fish that died. In revenge, he broke open a crate at the back of the pet store, thinking it held harmless black snakes. Instead, it contained cobras, which quickly escaped into Springfield.
Searches began, with residents carrying garden tools to behead any snakes they found. A van playing snake-charming music drove around the city to lure the cobras out. Eventually, 11 cobras were killed, and one was captured and taken to the zoo. Luckily, they didn’t reproduce or hurt anyone. [4]
Millions of Australian Spiders Blanket a Town with Thick Webs
Unlike Springfield, Australians are familiar with deadly snakes and other terrifying creatures. So, of course, there’s an Australian story on this list, and it’s something out of a nightmare.
In 2021, Victoria was flooded after a winter storm. Homes were destroyed, and some towns lost power. Millions of spiders in the countryside had the same idea as the locals: to escape to somewhere dryer. They used a technique called “ballooning,” shooting silk into the air to catch the wind and fly away.
During the 2021 storm, millions of spiders landed all over Gippsland, wrapping large areas in thick, glossy, white webs. It looked like a Halloween decoration, but with countless real spiders crawling on it. [5]
Colombian Crab Migration Gets Military Protection
Animal invasions aren’t always surprises. Some happen regularly but are still unavoidable. Crab migrations are one example. Thousands of crabs journey from their homes to the sea to lay eggs. Once the eggs hatch, they return home with their offspring, seemingly without regard for any humans in their path.
The most famous example is the red crab migration on Christmas Island, but it happens elsewhere too. On the Colombian island of Providencia, black land crabs migrate yearly. To help them safely reach their destination, they receive military protection.
The “crab watch division” sets up checkpoints to stop vehicles while the crabs cross. The soldiers at the checkpoints are armed with automatic rifles, taking their job seriously. Locals perform a “crab-swerve” on their mopeds, dodging crabs at the last second. [6]
A Real-Life Urban Cowboy Saved Newark from an Escaped Bull
Some escaped animals prefer to travel solo. In 2006, a 600-pound bull ran loose in Newark, New Jersey, causing panic. Sightings began around 10 p.m., and it took authorities all night to capture it safely. The bull ran through streets and leaped over small fences and air conditioning units.
Police blocked off streets to keep people safe while trying to guide the bull away from downtown. After ten hours, they succeeded with the help of a South African cowboy on the local animal control team.
He corralled the bull in a parking lot and caught it with his lasso, bringing it under control so it could be tranquilized. The bull’s escape was a success. Instead of being slaughtered, it went to an animal refuge. [7]
A Bengal Tiger Terrified a Peaceful Houston Neighborhood
Running with the bulls is scary, but imagine seeing a Bengal tiger across the street in your neighborhood. In 2021, residents in Houston, Texas, had this nightmare.
The tiger was being kept in a house and escaped by climbing the fence. Police arrived, drew their weapons, and told the owner to get the tiger back inside. He did, then hopped in his car with the tiger and drove off.
When he was arrested, the tiger was gone. After nearly a week of worry, the owner’s wife handed over the nine-month-old tiger, named India, to the city’s animal shelter. India was moved to an animal sanctuary, while the owner was tried for an unrelated murder. [8]
A Missing Scottish Monkey Caught Due to Yorkshire Pudding
There are no confirmed sightings of the Loch Ness Monster, but in February 2024, some Scottish Highlanders saw a red-faced macaque named Honshu. He escaped from a wildlife park and evaded authorities for five days.
He traveled about four miles, heading north to Kincraig and south to Insh. In both places, he tried to get nuts from bird feeders. However, a resident of Insh left him a Yorkshire pudding, which he loved.
Honshu stayed near the house while the owner contacted the wildlife park. Experts arrived with thermal drones and tranquilizer darts and brought him home. [9]
Cholmondeley the “Gentleman” Chimp’s Day out in London
The people who saw Honshu the macaque were lucky; escaped monkeys aren’t always harmless. Nor are escaped apes, as Londoners learned in 1951 with Cholmondeley the chimpanzee. Despite his keeper calling him “a perfect gentleman,” Cholmondeley was anything but when he escaped from London Zoo one January day.
He climbed over the fence while his keeper brought him grapes. He stopped a bus by raising his hand, boarded it, and bit a passenger’s leg before getting off. His next stop was Les Ambassadeurs Club, an exclusive gambling club, fitting his status as a gentleman and television actor.
There, he bit a steward before running down a side street. His keeper arrived and coaxed Cholmondeley back, hitching a ride back to the zoo. [10]
These tales of animal escapades remind us of the unpredictable nature of wildlife. From chaotic horse stampedes to clever monkeys lured by Yorkshire pudding, each story is a mix of humor and awe at the animal kingdom.
Which story surprised you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
