October 21, 2011 Crystal Lake, IL An anonymous tip led police to he basement of a Crystal Lake home where officers found a 10-foot long alligator, a 12-foot snake, a caiman, a white fox and 7 turtles. The alligator, snake and caiman were confiscated, but the fox and turtles were not. The home’s owner was charged with possession of a danterious anmal and possession of an endangered species. ReptilesOther
October 21, 2011 Greeley, CO A couple found a carpet python under their shed and turned it over to the Colorado Reptile Humane Society. On Oct. 15, another carpet python was found and turned over to the society. Both are believed to be former pets. Reptiles
October 20, 2011 Gresham, OR Gresham police received a report of a reptile in the pond at Birdsdale Industrial Park. The pond, about an acre large, is fenced in. It is speculated that someone had released the alligtor there as it is illegal to own one in Multonomah County. The alligator was caught and officials allowed the man who caught it to keep it. Reptiles
October 20, 2011 Sacramento, CA An Abyssinian ground hornbill chick died unexpectedly. Cause of death was not addressed. Other
October 19, 2011 Zanesville, OH An owner of a large number of exotic animals, many of them dangerous, apparently set his animals loose and then shot himself according to preliminary investigations. Most of the animals were shot and killed, but some remained at larte. The animals included lions, tigers, bears, wolves and primates. Many of the schools in the area were shut down and residents advised to stay indoors. Ohio has no ban on owning exotic animals. BearsBig CatsSmall CatsPrimatesOther
October 19, 2011 Branson, MO A man spent time in the hospital after being bitten by his 3-feet long pet diamondback rattlesnake. It is against the law to own this snake in Branson and has been turned over to the Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield. The man was bitten while changing the water in the snake’s cage. Reptiles
October 16, 2011 Odessa, TX A 4-year old boy was mauled by a 12-year old pet mountain lion kept by his aunt in her backyard. He was taken to the hospital but his condition was unknown. The lion was euthanized following the incident. The aunt was cited for the lion not being up to date on vaccinations. Big Cats
October 16, 2011 Cary, IL A 6-year old, 5-foot long female alligator was found living in a bathtub during a raid of a marijuana-growing operation. The man living in the home was charged with a laundry list of drug related charges as well as a fine for violating permit requirements for the alligator. The alligator was was taken to the Chicago Herpetological Society Reptiles
October 15, 2011 Boston, MA An endangered female zebra and her foal escaped from their exhibit and forced the evacuation of a Boston zoo. The zebras were returned to their enclosures. Other
October 15, 2011 Longmont, CO A 14-year old boy spotted a 5-foot long Jungle Carpet Python in a tree while walking through a park with his mother and reported the snake to the CO Reptile Humane Society. Pythons are not native to CO and it is belived that the snake either escaped or was let loose. Reptiles