April 28, 2008 Egelston Township, MI A serval escaped from a sanctuary and could not be found. A bear also escaped from the same sanctuary, but was later caught. DNR is investigating the sanctuary for possible licensing violations. Small Cats
April 26, 2008 Orlando, FL A tragic mid-air collision during an afternoon show at Seaworld’s Discovery Cove left one dolphin dead. The 30-year-old female dolphin, Sharky, was performing a jump with another dolphin when the two collided head-on. The other dolphin was being monitored and was expected to be okay. An investigation into training protocols was planned, as was a necropsy. Sharky was reportedly captured from the wild in 1982. Marine
April 19, 2008 Tampa, FL A troop of African monkeys escaped from a Polk County wildlife facility. The president of Safari Wild said it would take up to a week to capture them all, they carried no diseases, and all were microchipped. Primates
April 11, 2008 Trenton, MI A 6-year-old girl was bitten by a neighbor’s “pet” monkey, Mikey. While being walked on a leash, Mikey ran up to her and bit her on the finger. A Java macaque, Mikey was later euthanized by health authorities despite Born Free USA’s plea to send him to their Primate Sanctuary. Brain sample tests indicated he did not have rabies. Primates
April 9, 2008 Rochester, WA Authorities found a woman living with hundreds of rats and four malnourished snakes in a home outside Rochester. The snakes confiscated included two malnourished boa constrictors, a corn snake, and a king snake. The house’s floor was covered in rat urine and feces. The woman referred to the rats as her friends. ReptilesOther
April 8, 2008 Garrison, GA A young male zebra discovered grazing along I-75 was captured and found to be badly injured. Authorities theorized he likely fell from a truck or trailer and was hit by another vehicle. Noah’s Ark accepted donations to cover medical expenses. Other
April 7, 2008 Carthage, MO Police responding a call concerning a resident’s self-inflicted gunshot wound found a 6-1/2-ft-long alligator in the basement. The reptile was taken to the Carthage Humane Society until a suitable home could be found. Reptiles
April 4, 2008 Orlando, FL Prada, a 4-year-old monkey, escaped from his possessor’s Coconut Palms apartment. He was recaptured by Animal Control officials and turned over to Back to Nature Sanctuary, where he was held until given to Florida Fish and Wildlife. Primates
April 1, 2008 Frankfort, KY Department of Fish and Wildlife officials seized seven rattlesnakes, a gabon viper, a king cobra, an iguana, two monitor lizards, two alligators, a boa constrictor, and a python. The Possessor was not at home as he was having two fingers amputated at a local hospital as the result of snakebite. He faced several charges in connection with the seized reptiles. Reptiles
March 29, 2008 Wellington, FL Judy Berens, owner of the Panther Ridge Conservation Center, was bit by 2 of her cheetahs while giving a presentation for a group of people. According to medical staff that treated her, she acquired over 40 puncture wounds. Big Cats