July 17, 2012 Plymouth, MA An 11-foot python escaped from its owner and bit a neighbor in the leg before being captured by an Environmental Police Officer. Pythons are legal pets in MA, so the snake was returned to its owner, although whether or not he had a permit was in question. The bite victim was taken to a hospital. Reptiles
July 17, 2012 Denver, CO A 25-pound, 6-foot Nile monitor lizard broke its nylon leash at a park and is on the loose prompting authorities to warn residents to keep children and small pets indoors until the carnivorous reptile is captured. These lizards are known to be strong and aggressive. It is legal to own a monitor lizard in CO. Reptiles
July 16, 2012 Martins Ferry, OH A live and rare 2-foot butter-colored corn snake seemingly “fell out of the sky” according to a woman, and landed near where she was sitting with a cup of coffee. Police believe the snake probably was on a rooftop or in a tree when it tumbled to the ground. The snake is believed to be a former pet. There is an ordinance against keeping wild animals in the city. Reptiles
July 15, 2012 Nogales, AZ Big Boy, a 100-plus-pound African sulcata tortoise, went missing from his owner’s home. He was found a week later after crawling out from behind another family’s home. Reptiles
July 13, 2012 Elkhorn, NE 30 venomous snakes, including 5 cobras, 2 vipers and 16 rattlesnakes, were removed from an Elkhorn-area home where two children lived. An anonymous tip to the NE Humane Society let investigators to the home. The owner was ticketed on suspicion of several animal cruelty violations. It is illegal to possess venomous snakes within the City of Omaha. The snakes were taken to the Henry Doorly Zoo. Reptiles
July 12, 2012 Las Vegas, NV Two chimpanzees escaped a Las Vegas backyard. One chimp was tranquilized and the other killed by police after causing a stir in northwest Las Vegas for nearly two hours. The surviving chimp was returned to the owner who had proper paperwork to possess the chimps. Primates
July 12, 2012 New Orleans, LA 10 baby alligators were stolen from the Audubon Zoo gift shop on July 4. Eight of the 10 alligators were left in a container near an intersection on July 5. One of the gators was found in a stolen vehicle. The men responsible for the theft were arrested and taken into custody and charged with illegal possession of things, possession of a firearm by a felon, armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, and tampering and resisting a police officer. One of the men had a previous arrest of cruetly to animals. Reptiles
July 12, 2012 Caruthersville, MO A 7-foot albino python and an 8-foot black and green boa constrictor escaped from a home with 6 exotic reptiles. The python was found by a neighbor in his garden, but the boa is still on the loose. Police confiscated the boa and 4 other exotic reptiles (including an alligator) from the home of the owner, who will face midemeanor charges since he didn’t have a permit for the reptiles or proper insurance. Reptiles
July 11, 2012 Ottumwa, IA A massive 5-foot snake missing for weeks has been found in a plastic food container by a school custodian. The snake was returned to its owner. Reptiles
July 10, 2012 Seward, AK A rescued baby beluga whale died at the Alaska Seal Life Center where it was taken. The baby was believed to be around 2 days old when rescued. Marine