Search Exotic Incidents Database

A snake escaped its enclosure in an apartment and could not be found.

Animal control officers in Forsyth County are trying to track a 16-year old monkey that escaped from a Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center primate-testing facility. Officials on the scene said that they are trying to trap, tranquilize, or kill the monkey (in that order). The monkey has been missing since June 29th.

At least six cases of salmonella in Clark County were linked to contact with reptiles kept as pets. According to SNHD (Southern Nevada Health District), all of the patients had contact with aquatic turtles that were kept as pets.

Drivers along Interstate 182 in Pasco, WA, were startled at the site of a loose pet kangaroo bounding in and out of traffic. Authorities say the unruly animal nearly caused two accidents, and incited a coordinated rescue effort rearly see in Easter Washington. The owner ended up tracking down the exotic animal and returned home to Franklin County where it is legl to have exotic pets with a license. It is not legal in the City of Pasco. The man also owned a zebra.

A caseworker visiting the home of Evelyn Shaw, who was working to adopt her two nieces, was bitten on the finger by Ms. Shaw’s pet mountain lion. Ms. Shaw, who was active in opposing the exotics ban legislation in Ohio, had falsely assured the investigator that the lion was declawed and had no teeth. Ms. Shaw stated she would euthanize the animal because of this incident.

A baby chimpanzee was killed by an adult male chimpanzee inside their enclosure at the Los Angeles Zoo. The incident was witnessed by zoo visitors.

A polar bear and two seals escaped their enclosure due to the heavy rains flooding the Lake Superior Zoo. Duluth residents spotted the animals and called authorities, who in turn called zoo officials. The animals were all caught. Thirteen animals died from drowning at the zoo.

The USDA is investigating the matter of two dolphins dying within 3 months of each other at SeaWorld Orlando.

Police officers found nine Savannah hybrid cats and a serval in a house after a man reported seeing a serval in the basement. Police say the floor was covered with urine and feces throughout the house and the property owner now faces 10 counts of animal cruelty charges. One Savannah cat was euthanized after it bit an officer. The remaining cats were released to East Coast Exotic Animal Rescue.

Police are investigating the theft of five snakes and a chameleon from the World Aquarium in downtown St. Louis. A 6-foot Albino Boa Constrictor, a 5-foot Brazilian Rainbow Boa Constrictor, a 4-foot California Kingsnake, a 4-1/2 foot Dumeril’s Boa, a 2-foot Ball Python, and a veiled chameleon. In 2004, two former City Museum employees stole a two-headed rat snake and were caught.