Shirtless, Meth-Toting Man Claimed to Be Tarzan as He Climbed Trees at Zoo
A shirtless man in possession of methamphetamine claimed to be Tarzan as he climbed trees at a California zoo, police say.
Zoo director Kent Yamaguchi called 911 Tuesday morning to report that a man was climbing trees and jumping into animal exhibits at the Santa Ana Zoo.
“We have a gentleman who … appears to be under the influence of something and is climbing in our trees and jumping into animal exhibits… He’s shouting at people that he’s Tarzan,” Yamaguchi explained on the 911 call.
Authorities showed up and arrested 37-year-old John William Rodenborn, who was covered in mud and carrying meth at the time that he was apprehended. Police believe that Rodenborn was on meth at the time of the bizarre incident.
Yamaguchi told KTLA that the man had walked through the bird aviary and then went over to a nearby tree, next to the monkey enclosure. He was spotted climbing several trees, Yamaguchi said.
During the 911 call, the zoo director said that Rodenborn had climbed up one particular tree and onto a 20-foot retaining wall above the monkey exhibit.
“It looks like he may be trying to jump into the water,” Yamaguchi said.
The shirtless then climbed down and hid behind some bamboo, “sort of sleeping, or resting. He’s covered with mud,” Yamaguchi told the dispatcher.
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