September 29, 2010 Wading River, NY A 3-foot alligator was seized from a liquor store on Long Island. The store’s proprietor told the local newspaper that an employee had axked her to take care of it whie he was apartment hunting and that she believed the animal to be a monitor lizard. Two employees were issued tickets for possession of an illegal animal. The alligtor will be sent to a sanctuary out of state. Reptiles
September 14, 2010 Vero Beach, FL A 3-foot long Nile monitor lizard was captured at a dog park. FL prohibits personal owernship of exotic lizards and this one is believed to have been dumped. Reptiles
September 13, 2010 Bell Gardens, CA 15-year old boy gets bitten by a 2-year old ball python. The python had been left at the home by a woman who used to live in the house and had been living in the wall heater. The boy was unnerved but not injured. Reptiles
September 7, 2010 San Antonio, TX Three spider monkeys escaped from the Primarily Primates sanctuary after a strong wind toppled a tree and caused damage to their cage. Two were caught, but one still remains at large and was sighted roaming the neighborhood. Primates
September 7, 2010 San Diego, CA A young 12-year old Orca named Sumar, dies unexpectedly at SeaWorld in San Diego. He had no known history of health problems. Marine
September 5, 2010 West Orange, NJ An Amur leopard escaped from her enclosure at the Essex County Turtle Back Zoo in New Jersey. The zoo shut down for a few hours. She was later recaptured. Big Cats
September 1, 2010 Las Vegas, NV A captive lion attacks one of its trainers at MGM Grand Hotel while being on display to the public. Trainer receives stitches on his leg. The lion has since been put back on display. Big Cats
August 28, 2010 Miami, FL A 500-pound Bengal tiger escaped from his pen excited by another escapee, a gibbon, both housed at Jungle Island of Miami. Caused panic within park, but no one was injured. Big CatsPrimates
August 26, 2010 Sebastian, FL A woman was hospitalized after being bitten on her hand by her 12 foot long albino Burmese python while trying to feed it. Reptiles
August 25, 2010 Tampa, FL A man was bitten by his pet 18-inch Gaboon viper and drove himself to the hospital. Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission was contacted and the man was charged with 8 second-degree misdemeanor charges relatined to owning a venomous reptile without a permit. Reptiles