November 10, 2007 Indianapolis, IN A fire broke out at the Indianapolis Zoo’s Encounter Exhibit, killing an armadillo, some small birds, some turtles, and a snake. The surviving animals were treated at a local vet clinic and the exhibit remained closed until the cause of the fire could be determined. OtherReptiles
November 10, 2007 Fremont, OH A woman purchased a monkey from the Mt. Hope Animal Auction but later wanted to return her because the monkey had become aggressive. The pet shop owners told her that they couldn’t take the monkey back because USDA regulations required a 30-day quarantine. Primates
November 9, 2007 Lake Elsinore, CA Authorities seized a 3-year-old coatimundi. According to the state Fish and Game, exhibitors and other professionals may obtain special permits to possess a coatimundi but keeping one as a “pet” is prohibited. Other
November 6, 2007 Flint Twp, MI Police raided two houses where thieves were hoarding exotic animals, including a Brazilian parrot and other exotic birds, a rare breed of small fox, an Australian wallaby, a fish tank of piranhas, and several wild cat breeds. A couple in their mid-20s was arrested. Several of the animals were returned to their rightful possessors. Small CatsOther
November 6, 2007 Columbia, MS Local health officials may have identified the possessor of a “pet” monkey that bit two children in a Columbia park, setting off a statewide primate hunt. A woman was wanted for questioning regarding the incident. See 09/28/07. Primates
November 5, 2007 Columbia County, GA Authorities from Columbia County Animal Care are investigating an incident involving a 17-month-old toddler bitten by a baboon at the Columbia County Merchants Fall Fair. The mother took the child to her pediatrician for treatment. Primates
November 2, 2007 San Antonio, TX At the San Antonio Zoo, an African elephant called Alport died at the age of 49. The cause of death was not immediately known, but her condition had deteriorated rapidly from the point at which keepers noticed she was not feeling well and was struggling to stand and walk. Alport had just been diagnosed with a serious orthopedic tear in her knee in the days prior to her death. Alport’s companion, Lucky, was now the sole elephant at this zoo. Elephants
November 1, 2007 Mahopac, NY An exotic African serval cat was removed from his possessor’s filthy and feces-ridden home. The cat was spied in a window by a passing neighbor who later reported the incident to police. The cat was extremely emaciated and was eating Styrofoam in an attempt to survive. The cat was turned over to the local SPCA and to be placed in a zoo or animal sanctuary. The possessor was due in court on 11/19/07. Small Cats
November 1, 2007 Muncie, IN A man known to be a buyer and broker of venomous snakes was arrested after departing from a city bus with a box of baby timber rattlesnakes. State conservation officers and county police arrested him again for possession and transportation of dangerous reptiles without a permit. Reptiles
October 29, 2007 Brooklyn, NY A woman found a 7-ft-long python snake in her toilet and called authorities. Plumbers had to tear apart the downstairs’ neighbor’s pipes in an effort to retrieve the snake. The woman turned the snake over to a friend who kept it as a “pet.” Reptiles