June 24, 2008 Key Largo, FL A 7-ft-long python devoured one of several doves that came to a resident’s birdfeeder. The resident killed the snake with a tree limb. Reptiles
June 19, 2008 Walker , FL Deputies arrested two people after finding more than 150 dead birds, along with 300 live neglected fowl, at a mobile home just outside the town limits. Two peacocks were among those found alive, along with dogs, one donkey and one miniature horse. The couple were charged with animal cruelty and neglect and three counts of child desertion. Other
June 19, 2008 Hayward, WI Several deer who escaped from a wildlife park were rounded up and returned to the facility without incident. Other
June 19, 2008 Austell, GA Several foxes were spied roaming the Stoney Cove complex, and while a TV reporter was covering story, a grey fox walked in front of him. Residents say the foxes have been roaming the area for weeks. Animal Control officials trapped a white fox that morning. Other
June 17, 2008 Londonderry, NH A local woman opened her mailbox to discover a 3-ft-long corn snake inside. Police captured the snake and took him to a “pet” store. Pet store employees speculated that the snake was probably someone’s “pet.” Reptiles
June 13, 2008 Saltville, VA A local man accidently ran over an alligator that was in the middle of Highway 107. Virginia wildlife officials picked up the animal and had it examined to determine where it may have originated. Reptiles
June 13, 2008 Spartanburg, VA Spunky, a Rhesus monkey running loose in the yard of a couple’s home, was recaptured and brought to Spartanburg Animal Shelter. The couple who were Spunky’s possessors were being investigated for dumping toxic waste on roads in the Lyman area. Primates
June 12, 2008 Rockford, IL A woman found a 4-ft-long Burmese python in a Starbucks parking lot. The woman took the snake to a nearby Petco store. Reptiles
June 9, 2008 San Diego, CA A small caiman was discovered on a patio in the 4S Ranch development. The County Department of Animal Services captured the caiman and turned him over to the North County Animal Shelter. Reptiles
June 9, 2008 Philadelphia, PA A 52-year-old African elephant called Petal died at the Philadelphia Zoo. The exact cause of her death was unknown, pending a necropsy. However, in-stall video monitoring tapes showed that early in the morning Petal’s right rear leg had buckled, causing her to collapse. She was found by zookeepers later in the morning, lying on her side in her stall. Zookeepers attempted to get her to stand, but she died just a few hours later. According to a zoo official “Petal had been in excellent health … showing no recent signs of illness or decline.” Elephants