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Central Park Zoo Hoax

October 26, 2026 · 15 min

Show notes

In November of 1874 the Central Park Zoo in New York City experienced an unprecedented escape. Dozens of animals broke free of their cages, and went on a rampage across the city. When the newspapers reported it the next day, 49 people were dead, hundreds injured, and the national guard called in. It was an unprecedented tragedy. The only problem was the entire thing was a hoax. This is the story of the Central Park Zoo Hoax.


Sources


https://hoaxes.org/archive/permalink/the_central_park_zoo_escape/

https://blog.newspapers.com/new-york-zoo-hoax-of-1874/

Image: Harpers Weekly, 1893


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