June 30, 2003 MI A total of 81 cases of monkeypox in humans were being investigated in 6 states as a result of contact with prairie dogs which had recently become a popular “pet.” So far, 32 cases had been confirmed by the CDC. Other
June 29, 2003 Calhan, CO A 35-year-old man was severely injured while cleaning the inside of the cage housing Duke and Merlin, two 500-lb tigers at the Big Cats of Serenity Springs wildlife refuge in El Paso County. The refuge’s owner rushed in and broke two shovels fighting off the tigers. The man suffered a mangled calf and scalp injuries. Both tigers were killed. Big Cats
June 23, 2003 Deerfield Township, OH A lion was on the loose in a suburban area. It was suspected that the animal was someone’s “pet.” Big Cats
June 18, 2003 Crossett, AR A firefighter at the Crossett Zoo was bitten on his right hand by Tigger the tiger. The firefighter was inside the fence which separated Tigger’s cage from the rest of zoo when Tigger bit and clamped down for more than 30 seconds. Surgery repaired a deep laceration and the severed tendon of a finger. The tip of the thumb was bitten off but the firefighter had an “excellent chance” to regain full use of the finger. Big Cats
June 15, 2003 Benton, IL A 40-lb, 6-1/2-ft-long Asian water monitor escaped from her cage after prying the cage top loose. Reptiles
June 11, 2003 Brownsville, TX Two baby zebras jumped the fence of a traveling circus and made their way down southbound Expressway 83. Trucks with ropes corraled the zebras. Animal Control also set up fences. The zebras were finally herded into the back of a truck. A police officer and an onlooker received scratches when the zebras kicked them. The zebras were treated for wounds. Other
June 11, 2003 Whitehall Township, PA A man was bitten on the shoulder by one of several poisonous snakes he kept in his apartment. Police confiscated 10 poisonous snakes. Reptiles
June 6, 2003 Westford, MA A large cat, likely a cougar, was spotted roaming the neighborhood. Big Cats
June 3, 2003 Rockledge, FL An 80-lb Burmese python, Lurch, escaped his cage and wrapped himself tightly around the leg of his possessor’s mother. Paramedics arrived and freed the woman. Reptiles
June 1, 2003 Los Angeles, CA A goral goat antelope discovered a hole in the fence of its exhibit at the Los Angeles Zoo and escaped before the zoo opened. Other