Ohio exotic animal preserve leased for drilling

COLUMBUS (AP) — The expected boom in natural gas drilling could extend to the Wilds, an outdoor exotic animal in eastern Ohio.

The nearly 10,000-acre park on reclaimed mine land has some traditional gas wells but none that use a process where chemical-laced water is blasted into shale to release natural gas.

The Columbus Dispatch reports today that Columbus-based American Electric Power leased mineral rights below the preserve to Anadarko Petroleum last year.

The leasing was part of a bigger deal giving Texas-based Anadarko access to 150,000 acres of AEP-owned mineral rights in eastern Ohio.

The Columbus Zoo, which operates the Wilds, was not aware the lease had been signed, while AEP and Anadarko say precautions will be taken to protect animals and visitors.