April 17, 2013 Tampa, FL A 5-foot long boa constrictor was found in the engine compartment of a Super Shuttle at the Tampa International Airport. The snake was caught and will be adopted by a Tampa Fire Rescue officer that rescued it from the car. Authorities believe the snake is a former pet. Reptiles
April 17, 2013 Waco, TX A man charged in the knifepoint theft of four snakes from a Waco pet store was indicted and charged with aggravated robbery. Reptiles
April 17, 2013 Bonita Springs, FL A 58-year old man cut the locks on the animal cages, including a mountain lion and alligators, at Everglades Wonder Gardens. A worker was able to contain most of the animals before anything happened. The same worker was able to tackle the man who cut the locks and held him until authorities arrived. One deer did escape and was killed by a motorist. Big CatsReptilesOther
April 16, 2013 Olympia, WA An illegal hybrid diamond back rattlesnake was seized from an apartment in Olympia. The owner may face a civil fine. Reptiles
April 10, 2013 Muncie, IN A 4-and-a-half-foot red-tail boa constrictor was found curled up on a heating vent in a vacated apartment. The snake was taken to a sanctuary. Reptiles
April 10, 2013 Calhan, CO According to a citation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, zookeepers failed to notice or seek veterinary care for a tiger (Maverick) with clear medical issues. Maverick had a severe limp on his right foreleg, walked with a crah-like posture, and would stumble and fall onto his shoulder when walking. The USDA inspectors reported that he seemed to be in pain, as evidenced by his growling and swatting at his cage mate when that animal approached. Big Cats
April 10, 2013 Calhan, CO According to a citation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, zookeepers failed to notice that a cougar named Baby was dead in her enclosure until the inspector observed and pointed out that Baby was coated in snow and that her body was rigid. Small Cats
April 9, 2013 Tupelo, MS A Ringling Brothers elephant, Carol, was shot in the shoulder in a drive-by. The shooting is deemed a federal offense because Asian elephants are an endangered species. There is a reward for $33,000 for information leading to an arrest. Elephants
April 3, 2013 Pawnee County, OK A monkey described as a capuchin by authorities, but more closely resembling a vervet, escaped from its enclosure and was spotted on a residential road. Although authorities were told by the guardian to shoot the monkey when found, a nearby business owner was able to safely capture the primate with fruits. The monkey sustained injuries to his tail while on the run. Primates
April 3, 2013 Albany, OR A ball python and a chihuahua were taken from a home in retaliation by a former acquaintance. The dog was later found unhurt, but the python was discovered dead in a plastic bag. Reptiles