@SuzE43_ When I was very young, fifteen or so, I took a summer job on the only real "estate" in my home town. This guy owned the local steel mill. A big brick Victorian mansion set on about ten acres. I spent the summer as the gardeners helper.
There were two lions on the property. So it's never been all that uncommon for the rich to keep exotic pets. But it's over now.
@SuzE43_ Yes, in Cedar Rapids. The guys name was Howard Hall, and the estates name was/is Brucemore.