January 20, 2008 Cedar Creek, TX A Capital of Texas Zoo volunteer was injured by a mountain lion that she tried to pet after feeding him, according to a Bastrop County Animal Control investigator. The volunteer suffered a broken thumb and had stitches. The mountain lion was quarantined for 30 days. Big Cats
January 17, 2008 Mayes County, TX As many as 100 exotic animals died in a fire at Safari Joe’s Exotic Wildlife Refuge. The barn that burned housed monkeys, reptiles, and birds. Two tigers were also injured and later died. PrimatesReptilesBig CatsOther
January 12, 2008 Gallatin County, MT Sheriff officials were investigating what could possibly be animal cruelty at a local trailer park where several animals, including two alligatiors, a Burmese python, an iguana, and several species of fish and turtles were discovered. The fish and iguana were found dead. The surviving animals were turned over to a local acquarium business owner who would care for them. ReptilesOther
January 9, 2008 Memphis, TN Attempting to evade the zoo workers chasing her, a stray dog jumped into the tiger pit at the Memphis Zoo. The dog was attacked by one of the tigers, sustaining puncture wounds to her neck and shoulders. She was taken to a local Veterinary hospital for treatment. Big Cats
January 4, 2008 Atlanta, GA Masai, a 17-year-old African lioness at Zoo Atlanta, was reported as being in guarded condition after being diagnosed with severe anemia, which was discovered following treatment for an upper respiratory infection in December. A 14-year-old male Sumatran tiger, Jalal, was also reported as recovering from an illness that had induced spasms of vomiting that began two days prior. Big Cats
January 2, 2008 Calhan, CO According to a citation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, two leopards named Thunder and Rosebud had visible injuries. Thunder had open wounds on his tail, while Rosebud was hunched over in an abnormal posture and had an open wound on her tail. Nick Sculac, owner of the zoo, failed to report the injuries or seek veterinary treatment. Big Cats
November 1, 2007 Jacksonville, FL A worker at the Jacksonville Zoo was hospitalized after being rammed by a 2-year-old, 600-pound antelope called Abe. The worker sustained a serious gash to her leg that required surgery. Other
October 11, 2007 Vallejo, CA A serval got it’s leg caught between the bottom of a sliding chain link door and was found with severe trauma to the leg. The front teeth were all broken. Park officials decided to euthanize rather than amputate due to the animal’s various issues. Small Cats
August 23, 2007 Surprise, AZ Sheriff’s detectives entered pet store in 110-degree heat where 160 exotic reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates were without food, water, and air conditioning for three weeks. Scores of animals died. The 23-year-old pet shop owner told investigators he ran into financial difficulty and power to the store was cut off on 08/03/07. He was later charged with 126 counts of animal cruelty. See 9/20/07. ReptilesOther
August 7, 2007 Minneapolis, MN Animal Control officials removed nearly 40 animals, many neglected, including exotic lizards and tortoises, birds (including a duck and cockatoo), chinchillas, and 5 Pomeranian dogs and a cat. Several chinchillas did not survive the move and 2 dogs had to be destroyed. The animals remained in the care of the city’s animal shelter and the possessor’s home was condemned. ReptilesOther