January 2, 2012 Southern Pines, NC A pet rhesus monkey name Toby went missing after being scared off by EMS sirens nearby. The family had only had the monkey for about 2 weeks. Primates
November 4, 2011 Berkeley, CA A minitiar Reeves Muntjac deer has been spotted in Berkeley’s Cesar Chavez Park. Animal experts are concerned because the tiny animal could be prey for larger animals. It was unknown where the animal came from. Other
September 27, 2011 Elkhart County, IN A 12-foot snake was found in Elkhart County. A group of teenagers were spotted playing outside with the 60 pound, African Rock Python. The snake’s original owner died and his wife decided to give the snake away to the neighbor kids. The snake has been adopted by the /Chicago Herpetology Society and will eventually be taken to a zoo. Reptiles
September 5, 2011 Billings, MT Animal control personnel captured a 12-foot reticulated python in the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant. They released the snake into the hands of staff at the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter. Owners were later contacted and the snake sent home. Reptiles
September 5, 2011 Bronx, NY A photographer visiting New York’s Bronx Zoo said he found an escaped kudu in a pedestrian area. Officials arrived led the kudu back to its enclosure. It is unknown how the kudu escaped. Other
August 7, 2011 Anaheim, CA A 54-year old elephant named Sarah collapsed shortly after performing at the Ringling Bros Circus. The elephant was boarding a rail car when she collapsed. Earlier in the year, USDA had cited Ringling Bros for failing to adequately treat her with medical needs. Elephants
June 23, 2011 Lafayette, LA University of Louisianna Lafayette’s New Iberia Research Center violated a Federal regulation in connection with the deaths of three Rhesus monkeys, a May 31 report by the U.S. Dept of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service alleges. The Rhesus monkeys, all one to two year old yearlings, died after they were “accidentally blocked” in a chute connecting two outdoor cages. The USDA report states that the 3 monkeys’ bodies had begun to decompose inside the enclosed metal chute, “…therefore they had been trapped for some time and not properly monitored…” indicating that the NIRC did not follow Animal Welfare Act regulations. Primates
December 30, 2011 San Francisco, CA A squirrel monkey was stolen from the San Francisco Zoo sometime between 12/29 and 12/30. He was returned to the zoo on 12/31 by a man who claimed to have found him at a nearby park and coaxed the primate into his backpack. Primates
December 27, 2011 Scottsdale, AZ The AZ Humane Society removed 46 animals from a Scottsdale home including about a dozen reptiles including 4 snakes, 11 tortoises and a few turtles. Reptiles
December 26, 2011 Miami-Dade, FL A 13-ft Burmese python was found swimming in a South Florida family’s pool. The family called 911 and the snake was captured and taken away by Miami-Dade Fire Resue. It is believed that someone released it after no longer being able to care for it. Reptiles