Search Exotic Incidents Database

A 45-year-old man was found dead in his apartment from an apparent rattlesnake bite from one of his 15 “pet” snakes. The man was found 10 feet from an open, empty snake tank. The man had been feeding the animal when he was bitten. Animal Control officers removed from the man’s apartment 8 rattlesnakes, 2 king cobras, 2 corn snakes, a desert snake, and two others that were not identified.

A male tiger jumped on a 10-year-old girl who entered the cage with her stepfather to groom the animal. The girl was dragged through the cage and died of head and neck injuries. The stepfather took the tiger to exotic animal shows and had applied for a USDA exhibitor license at the time of the attack.

A “pet” monkey escaped from its backyard and lunged at a couple in the neighboring yard. The “owner” of the monkey had 4 macaques and 1 capuchin. This is one of many escapes by the “owner’s” “pet” monkeys.

A bear bit an employee at a drive-through animal park, Yellowstone Bear World. The woman was treated for minor injuries.

After riding an elephant named Flora, the trainer tried to get off but fell under the elephant, who stepped on her. The trainer was flown to the hospital and suffered a broken leg. Another trainer working with Flora at the time was not injured.

An elephant traveling with Tarzan Zerbini International Circus broke free of her rear shackle and seriously injured a circus worker.

A woman went to the hospital after a monkey bit her. The monkey was in a cage and bit her when she reached through the cage.

A “pet” monkey on the loose in a mobile home park was acting aggressively toward residents in the area. A police officer used a 12-gauge shotgun to shoot the 2-ft-tall rhesus monkey.

Eight horses owned by Sterling & Reid Bros Circus were turned over to the San Bernardino Humane Society after they were found to be malnourished. The circus was charged with cruelty to animals.

A tiger at a roadside zoo attacked and injured its handler.