The E. coli bacteria that sickened at least eight in the area came from a traveling petting zoo, according to preliminary test results released by the state on Friday.

The Minnesota Department of Health received the positive preliminary test results after taking samples from animals that were part of the Zerebko Zoo Tran petting zoo at the Rice County Fair in mid-July.

Wally Zerebko, owner of Zerebko Zoo Tran in Bovey, said the preliminary results are inconclusive. As the Department of Health continues to investigate and await the final results, Zerebko and his animals remain at home.

“They are telling me lives are at stake, I know that,” he said. “That’s why I am at home and why I encouraged them to come down and test. … I’m not out here to get kids sick. I’m trying to make a living.”