February 28, 2012 Loxahatchee, FL Steve Sipek, a former actor who played Tarzan, has been arrested and had 2 tigers and a black panther removed from his home after they were considered a danger to the public. Sipek was taken into custody and had his license to keep dangerous wild animals revoked by FL wildlife officials. Six years ago, Sipek’s 600-pound tiger named Bobo escaped from his compound and was shot to death by a wildlife officer. Big Cats
February 19, 2012 Kansas City, MO Two male gorillas escaped their enclosure for 3 hours triggering a code red at the zoo. Patrons were locked down in secure areas until the gorillas were returned to their enclosure. The incident is under investigation and it is unknown how the gorillas escaped. Primates
February 17, 2012 Brownwood, TX A monocle cobra that escaped and reported missing since January 18 from a home was found under a glueboard beneath a dresser in the home where it was reported missing. Reptiles
February 17, 2012 Vienna, VA The Reston Zoo is under investigation after an employee told police the zoo director drowned a sick wallaby as a means of euthanasia. Other
February 6, 2012 Apple Valley, MN Taijah, a dolphin calf, died suddenly of an “acute illnes.” An ultrasound showed fluid in her stomach and she was immiately put on medication. She was born as part of a cooperative breeding program designed to increase the size and genetic diversity of the captive dolphin population. A necropsy was to be performed. Marine
February 4, 2012 Hudson, FL Tweety, an emu, has been missing for more than 10 days and has been sighted several times. The emu eludes capture despite efforts to bring him home. Other
February 3, 2012 Blacksburg, VA VA Tech police are looking for leads on a cache of exotic pets found in a section of the university’s underground steam tunnel network. The animals included 2 constrictor-like snakes, a black widow spider, a tarantula, 2 unidentified lizards, a frog, a rabbit, 3 miche and a cage of crickets. ReptilesOther
February 1, 2012 Brownwood, TX A pet venomous snake that went missing about three weeks ago from a home is still unaccounted for. The snake is a monocled cobra. An Abilene Zoo herpetologist and a Texas Parks & Wildlife Department park ranger, among others, have been hunting it since mid-January since it was reported missing from the home of a 41-year old man who was in the Brown County Jail at the time. Reptiles
February 1, 2012 Chicago, IL Adelor, an 18-year-old male lion, was euthanized due to age-related health problems. Big Cats
January 31, 2012 Kissimmee, FL 14 reptiles, including a 10 alligators and 4 giant pythons, were rescued from a hoarder in Arizona are recovering at Gatorland in Kissimmee, Florida. Reptiles