February 4, 2009 Wynwood, OK Park workers recaptured a 12-ft-long alligator belonging to a local taxidermist who had recently died. The alligator weighed more than 800 lbs and had been living in a pond in the taxidermist’s backyard. He was taken to G.W. Exotic Animal Park. Reptiles
February 3, 2009 Neponset, IL A 200-lb black bear caught on video roaming Bureau County was captured and moved to a Moline zoo. Biological samples were taken for testing to determine whether the bear was wild or captive-bred. Bears
February 1, 2009 San Luis Obispo, CA Two pythons, one measuring 23 ft long and weighing 130 lbs, escaped from their enclosure at their possessor’s home. Police warned residents and both snakes were recaptured the next afternoon. A police officer was quoted, “There is no leash law for snakes” and the possessor was not cited. Reptiles
January 30, 2009 New Orleans, LA Berani, a Sumatran orangutan, got creative and used a T-shirt to scale a 10-foot wall at the Audubon Zoo. A zookeeper was able to coax Berani back into his enclosure without incident. Primates
January 23, 2009 Jacksonville, FL Kaleb, the youngest of 11 bonobos at the Jacksonville Zoo, died suddenly. Kaleb was found non-responsive at about 1:00pm. Efforts to resuscitate him failed. Primates
January 23, 2009 Boyd, TX Interns at the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary found a wooden create containing a very frightened and cold bobcat. The bobcat had been sealed inside the crate which had to be broken apart to free the bobcat. Small Cats
January 21, 2009 North Attleboro, MA Police summoned to a home to serve a restraining order confiscated two baby alligators kept in fish tanks in the home’s basement. Reptiles
January 20, 2009 Las Vegas, NV Parents were charged with child abuse in connection with an attack by an 18-ft. python on their 3-year-old son. The child was bitten and squeezed to the point of unconsciousness. One of the parents stabbed the snake to free the child. The snake was subsequently euthanized due to the knife wounds. Reptiles
January 18, 2009 Thurmont, MD A zoo worker was attacked and seriously injured by one of two jaguars. The worker had failed to secure the area. Both jaguars, Diego and Evita, were then quarantined for 30 days observation. Big Cats
January 18, 2009 Thurmont, MD Zoo worker is attacked and seriously injured by one of two jaguars. Worker failed to secure area. Both jaguars, Diego and Evita, are now quarantined for 30 days observation. Big Cats