A flock of hummingbirds kept the Oakridge Retirement Community hostage, demanding that they put Splenda in their water instead of sugar. Evidently, the sugar water raised their heart beats per minute to 1,300.
Marcel Duchamp held 11 people for ransom in the Federal Binomial Bank of Denver. His demands were one million dollars and a helicopter, but they talked him down to a felt tip marker so he could sign his gun.
A gaggle of geese held famed lexicographer Noah Webster hostage until he could think of a better word than gaggle. Rather than give into the demands, the police raided them, killing all but one. The last surrendered because he was happy enough to have his demands met in that roundabout way.