February 11, 2002 Pahrump, NV Animal exhibitor Karl Mitchell shot and killed one of his tigers after the animal became frightened and escaped from his control while being moved to a new residence. Big Cats
February 9, 2002 Washington, DC Ryma, a 17-year-old male Masai giraffe, died of bloat, a sudden, excessive buildup of gas in the stomach. Zoo officials described this as a rare digestive illness that probably was triggered by a combination of other health problems. Other
February 3, 2002 Aurora, CO A 43-year-old man was strangled to death by his 10-ft-long “pet” Burmese python. Reptiles
February 3, 2002 Loxahatchee, FL A woman was hospitalized in critical condition with a skull fracture after she was attacked and bitten by a 750-lb declawed tiger. The woman had been painting in preparation for a photo shoot at Steve Sipek’s private animal compound. Big Cats
February 2, 2002 Miami, FL While being led to a holding pen at the Miami Metrozoo, a 1,400-pound camel knocked a handler to the ground and rolled and stomped on him. The camel was one of three giving children rides at zoos throughout Miami-Dade County. The handler was airlifted to the hospital and later released. Other
February 1, 2002 Loxahatchee, FL A 58-year-old woman was bitten on the head by a 750-lb Siberian-Bengal mix tiger named Bobo. Bobo was the pet of former Hollywood actor Steve Sipek. The woman, Carol Pistilli, survived but was in the hospital for two months. She sustained permanent damage to her face. Big Cats