U.S.WEIRD NEWS
New bill would create misdemeanor for entering zoo habitats
Texas, New Jersey and Pennsylvania lawmakers are pushing bills to penalize people who enter zoo animal enclosures; California passed its own version in 2010.
On air: Kenji Moonfield on BBN After HoursPublished
Watch it as it aired: Kenji Moonfield on this story, from BBN After Hours at 2:45 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Times Observer's, the jokes are ours.
At a glance
- First reported by Times Observer: “New bill would create misdemeanor for entering zoo habitats”, with reporting from NJ1015, WFAA, California Legislative Information and WRNJ Radio.
- Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 2:45 AM ET on BBN After Hours, by Kenji Moonfield.
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
- Times ObserverNew bill would create misdemeanor for entering zoo habitats
- NJ1015NJ senator calls for action on bill to criminalize zoo enclosure facts used on air
- WFAATexas considers new penalties for zoo trespassers under proposed legislation facts used on air
- California Legislative InformationBill Text - AB-1675 Trespassing: animal enclosures at zoos, circuses, and traveling animal exhibits. September 29, 2010 · facts used on air
- WRNJ RadioSenator Bramnick calls for action on bill to penalize zoo trespassers - WRNJ Radio facts used on air
What BBN said about it
Marguerite OyelaranToday my bill makes entering a habitat a misdemeanor.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentNobody? California did it in 2010. AB 1675. I assume it's still on their books, with the monkeys and everything.
Marguerite OyelaranCalifornia is a different state with different monkeys. When I first conceived of this, about three weeks ago, I had not heard of it.
Marguerite OyelaranWhich makes mine more authentic.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentThree weeks? A minute ago it was four months. Your idea is getting younger while we talk.
Marguerite OyelaranI'm a busy woman, and this pen has never touched a bad idea.
Marguerite OyelaranIn Dallas a man allegedly cut a mesh barrier to reach the monkeys. That happened on my watch.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentUnder current New Jersey law, Senator Bramnick says a person who enters is charged only with trespassing.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo your idea is the upgrade to the same idea?
Marguerite OyelaranYes, and when I first conceived of it, about nine days ago, I was thinking of the animals.
Marguerite OyelaranAny credit belongs to me, and any blame to the previous legislature.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentNine days. At this rate you'll have conceived it by the end of this interview.
Marguerite OyelaranIdeas don't have ages, young man. They have sponsors, and I intend to be the sponsor.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentCalifornia beat you by sixteen years. Put it in the press release, right under 'conceived nine days ago.'
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Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
Photo: Daniel Torok · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
Photo: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN
From the archive: everything BBN aired on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 · the U.S. archive · all months
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