Search Exotic Incidents Database

A Florida police sergeant was called to a resident’s front yard to capture an alligator. The alligator’s snout was taped shut and it had been tagged by a trapper. Investigators determined the reptile had recently been stolen when someone broke into the trapper’s trailer.

Vaska, a 16-year-old male Amur tiger, died of unknown causes.

Agents with the Ohio Department of Agriculture took 6 large pythons out of a store named Captive Born Reptiles. They also seized 5 venomous snakes from shop owner Terry Wilkins’ home. The raid is part of an investigation that began after a video was made at Tutor Time Child Care of kids playing with Wilkins’ alligator and python. He will face a misdemeanor charge for each animal he owned that was not registered with the state.

A male Sumatran tiger named Berani bit off the tip of a zookeeper’s finger when the keeper broke protocol and fed the animal through the bars of his holding area.

A 3-foot yellow anaconda named Beaky was stolen from a pet store called Grove City Reptiles. The snake was returned to the store anonymously the next day.

Femelle, a western lowland gorilla who was thought to be 54 years old, died of unknown causes.

Sunny, a 6-month-old sea lion pup, died unexpectedly of undetermined causes. She was found at the bottom of her pool. This is the third sea lion death at the zoo in four months.

Police found a baby ball python in a backyard. The snake’s mouth was sewn closed. They took the snake to a local reptile rescue group and removed the thread, which had caused a fungal infection.

More than 330 animals, including at least 100 snakes, 200 rats and mice, 40 to 50 birds, 15 cats, and 2 miniature pigs, were seized from a home. The animals were found living in deplorable conditions, and many were dead. The property owners were identified as Thomas and Robyn Dawe. Their daughter, Maria Dawe, was operating an exotic animal business in the home.

Damien, a 10-year-old red panda, died from cancer.