Would-be Tarzan allegedly tried to climb into monkey exhibit

was arrested after climbing animal exhibits at the Santa Ana Zoo, police said. (Santa Ana Police Department)
was arrested after climbing animal exhibits at the Santa Ana Zoo, police said.
(Santa Ana Police Department)

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — A man who claimed to be Tarzan has been arrested after he allegedly climbed a tree and tried to get into the monkey exhibit at a Southern California zoo.

A zookeeper called 911 Tuesday morning to report that a shirtless man plastered in mud had climbed about 20 feet into a tree at the bird exhibit at the Santa Ana Zoo.

Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna tells City News Service that the man, who apparently was high on methamphetamine, claimed he was Tarzan and tried to crawl into a monkey exhibit.

He had left by the time police arrived, but he was taken into custody a short time later. He has been identified as John William Rodenborn.

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