Search Exotic Incidents Database

A chimp owned by a private farm near Festus went on a rampage and was shot by a teenage boy trying to defend his friends. The chimp’s son, Travis, would also go on a rampage and critically injure and permanently disfigure a woman, Charla Nash, on 2/17/2009 in Conneticut.

Three chimpanzees wandered out from behind an unlocked fence at ChimParty, a facility that rented primates for parties and commercials. One chimp was shot by a neighbor who felt threatened by the animals; the chimpwas later euthanized.

A kookaburra (bird) flew out of its cage at the Los Angeles Zoo before being captured the next day.

A man was mauled by his “pet” bear while fixing the corn crib used to cage the bear.

A poisonous cobra bit a snake charmer in front of a crowd of about 500 people during a performance of the Royal Palace Circus. The man was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.

Jagger, a Bengal tiger working with Wildlife Safari, killed his trainer and injured his “owner” while being prepared for an advertising photography shoot.

A teacher filed a formal complaint against the Shrine Circus for the alleged abuse of one of the circus’ elephants. According to the teacher and her 8-year old child, an elephant was removed from the ring for failing to perform up to expectations and then chained by one leg and beaten with a bullhook until the animal began to scream.

A zebra bit the arm of a 3-year-old boy who tried to feed bread through a car window to some llamas at the Olympic Game Farm. The boy was pulled from vehicle and dragged until rescued by a relative. Stitches were required to close the wound on his arm.

Simba, an African lion, escaped from his home and roamed the neighborhood. This was the second time Simba had escaped. See also entry for 11/29/00.

A volunteer at Burnette Farm and Education Center was attacked by a Siberian tiger as he shoveled gravel in the animal’s cage. The man suffered life-threatening injuries from the bite on his neck.