June 8, 2008 Brentwood, NY A mother discovered a California king snake coiled around her baby’s leg. The snake was safely removed by Animal Control officers and the child suffered no injuries. It was believed that the snake found its way into a mattress recently purchased by the family. Reptiles
June 5, 2008 Isle of Palms, SC Wildlife officials ordered everyone out of the water near the barrier island to capture a 6-ft-long American crocodile. A spokesman for the Department of Natural Resouces said that the crocodile either escaped or was released by someone illegally. Reptiles
June 5, 2008 Queens, NY A “pet” monkey nearly bit off the finger of a Queens toddler. The possessor was arrested and the illegally held “pet” monkey was euthanized. Attempts to reattach the toddler’s finger failed due to blood not circulating in the severed finger. Primates
June 1, 2008 Trego , KS Two elephants were spooked by tornados and escaped the Culpepper and Merriweather Circus. Both entered backyards with one taking the branches off a tree and another drinking water from a bird bath. Fortunately no one was hurt in this incident. One elephant was coaxed into a truck while the other had to be tranquilized. Elephants
May 25, 2008 Nobel, OK WildCare Foundation picked up a diamondback rattlesnake whose mouth was sewn shut. The Foundation’s vet removed the stitches and discovered the snake’s fangs had also been removed. They placed the snake with an appropriate reptile facility. Reptiles
May 24, 2008 Detroit, MI An animal handler was taken to the hospital for stitches after being scratched and bitten by Katie, a 16-year-old lioness at the Detroit Zoo. The keeper used pepper spray to fend off Katie during the attack. An investigation by the zoo into the incident was planned. Big Cats
May 24, 2008 South Bend, IN At the Potawatomi Zoo, an Amur Leopard attacked a zookeeper in the exhibit’s holding area, during a routine daily cleaning of the cage. The zookeeper suffered head wounds and was taken to a local hospital where she was treated, then released the following day. The leopard had been in the holding area, off exhibit, since giving birth to a cub in December. Big Cats
May 21, 2008 Neosho, MO A sheriff’s deputy shot and killed a 50-lb cat after a neighbor called to say that the animal was clawing at her door. Authorities believed the animal was someone’s “pet” as it appeared to be in good health. Big Cats
May 18, 2008 Calgary, AB Visitors to the Calgary Zoo’s Elephant Crossing facility watched as a 33-year-old elephant, Swarna, pushed a zookeeper into a wall, knocking him down. The zookeeper sustained injuries to his face and chest, including difficulty breathing, and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The incident was under investigation by the zoo officials, who believed that Swarna may have been trying to protect the calf of another elephant in the pen. Elephants
May 17, 2008 Los Angeles, CA 29 year-old Bruno, a 300-pound orangutan, escaped from his enclosure at the Los Angeles Zoo. Visitors were evacuated and Bruno was recaptured by zookeepers who injected him with anesthesia and carried him back to his bedroom area. Primates