Search Exotic Incidents Database

A sewer department employee found a 7-foot python in a sewer pump station. Haywood County Animal Services was called, who then turned the snake over to a Cherokee reptile dealer, Green Desert Reptiles. It was speculated that the snake was a former pet.

Puiji, a 25-year old female beluga whale died following a seizure. Preliminary findings from a full necropsy showed changes in her spleen, lymph nodes and other organs not evident in previous medical exams.

A group working to clean up Chartiers Creek captured a caiman, a close relative of the alligator. Wildlife officials suspect the caiman was purchased as a pet then released when it got too big to keep in aquarium. The animal would not have been able to survive the winter in PA.

Koko, a 25-year old chimpanzee at the Dallas Zoo escaped from her enclosure and police were summoned. Authorities evacuated and closed the Wilds of Africa exhibit. The chimp was shot with a tranquilizer dart and returned to the exhibit. This is the same exhibit where an adult male gorilla escaped from his enclosure, injured 3 people, and shot to death by police.

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.

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.

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.

An Abyssinian ground hornbill chick died unexpectedly. Cause of death was not addressed.

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.

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.