Search Exotic Incidents Database

WICHITA, KS – The Sedgwick County Zoo just announced that 29-year-old African elephant Simunye delivered a stillborn calf following a healthy, full-term pregnancy. This would have marked the first elephant born at Sedgwick County Zoo in its 54-year history.

The journey of Simunye’s 22-month pregnancy ended sadly despite care provided by the elephant care and veterinary teams. Regular prenatal exams and behavioral observations indicated that both mom and calf were healthy with no sign of complications throughout the entire gestational term.

Simunye began showing signs of active labor early Thursday morning while the care team watched remotely to allow for the most natural birthing environment. She delivered her calf Friday afternoon and despite her best attempts to assist, the calf showed no signs of movement.

A necropsy determined that the calf died during the birthing process.

EDMOND, OK – Jalapeno, a 35-pound exotic serval cat, pushed his door open and escaped. The search for the animal captured the attention of Facebook groups and users. Jalapeno disappeared Sunday along 15th Street in Edmond. Posts about his disappearance were seen by thousands, with many asking for updates on the search for the serval. Jalapeno was found on Tuesday after a neighbor helped trap him.

TUSCON, AZ – Reid Park Zoo delayed opening early Wednesday, March 5, after a giraffe got out of her enclosure. In a social media post, the zoo said 3-year-old giraffe Msituni was briefly outside her enclosure a little before 9 a.m. The zoo initiated its emergency response protocol and delayed opening for 90 minutes. The zoo said Msituni was found snacking on a nearby mesquite tree and did not move from that location. Luckily, according to the zoo, “She came back into her habitat on her own under the watchful eye of the Zoo’s animal care and veterinary teams.” The zoo says both short-term and long-term modifications will be made “to accommodate Msituni’s athletic and curious nature.”

BROWNSVILLE, TX – The South Texas zoo located in Brownsville announced the passing of its 17-foot-tall male giraffe, Malcolm, on Friday, February 28. Malcolm reportedly suffered an “incapacitating” injury on February 22, and despite “exhausting all efforts,” staff made the “difficult decision” to humanely euthanize him, according to a Facebook post by Gladys Porter Zoo.

Night keepers noticed Malcolm’s injury when they found him on the ground in the giraffe barn, where it seemed he was struggling to stand up. Shortly after veterinary and animal care teams were notified, maintenance technicians assisted the 2,500-pound giraffe to his feet using a hoist.

KNOXVILLE, TN – A pet porcupine made a daring escape and was picked up in Knoxville by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

The animal was taken to the Young Williams Animal Center, with TWRA advising people with exotic pets to ensure they are properly contained. The agency also said porcupines are a Class 3 animal, which means no permit is required to own them in Tennessee.

JACKSON, MS – Four Amazon parrots at the Jackson Zoological Park were found dead recently, believed to be the victims of a mink attack. On Monday, Jackson Parks and Recreation Director Abram Muhammad said that the animals were found dead after a search. Muhammad said the birds were moved into a barn due to the cold weather. A mink had apparently got into the enclosure and killed them.

“Their bodies were still intact, and based upon what I was taught, and what the vet told us, that is the nature of how minks usually [kill their victims],” he said. Muhammad said the matter was self-reported to the USDA.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Officials with the Oklahoma City Zoo have just announced the unexpected death Mwami, a 36-year-old chimpanzee. Officials said that on Feb. 7, Mwami underwent a routine health screening and dental surgery and appeared to be in good health. After the examination and procedure, Mwami was taken from an animal hospital to the zoo’s Great EscApe habitat to be monitored while he recovered from anesthesia. While he was recovering, zoo officials said Mwami went into cardia arrest and caretakers and the veterinarian team were unable to resuscitate him.