Search Exotic Incidents Database

Three zebras from Hearst Ranch escape and wander onto nearby property and are all killed by two ranchers purporting to be protecting their horses and cows from the zebras. The two ranchers then immediately called a taxidermist to have the 3 zebras skinned and their hide tanned to make rugs out of them.

A pet ferret bit off 7 fingers from a 4 month-old infant boy. The family’s ferret had gotten into where the baby was sleeping and began to take off the baby’s fingers. The infant’s father killed the ferret. Police are looking into the incident.

A giraffe named Jay slipped on ice and injured his head, resulting in him being euthanized.

A black and white capuchin was apprehended and is now in custody of the FL Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission when it jumped on a man’s shoulder and bit him on the ear. The victim was taken to a local hospital. Authorities are looking for the owner.

A man, Jason Wiles, was sent to the hospital after an being bit by his pet green mamba snake. Green mamba’s come from South Africa and is listed as one of the top ten most dangerous snakes. Their bites are considered lethal. The man possessed several other snakes on his property including cobras and pit vipers. All the snakes were confiscated and destroyed.

Deputies with the HCSO Narcotics Unit found, and was assaulted by, aggressive primates while conducting a search for methamphetamine production. One of the primates attacked and ripped an officer’s jacket. The man was taken into custody for drug related charges but was not cited for the primates as they are legal in Tennessee.

A camel being used for a Christmas performance at the First Baptist Church of West Palm Beach fell off the stage onto the audience.

An emu escaped and caused chaos throughout a West Greenwich neighborhood. The bird was later caught and returned to its owner.

Fire in an apartment building is believed to be started by a heat lamp that was knocked over by a pet alligator. Officials responding to the fire discovered several reptiles including a 3-ft alligator, three 10-foot snakes, and a large iguana.

An alligator was seized by officers during a routine traffic stop. The possessor of the alligator told police that he and his buddy were just hanging out. Certain exotic pets are prohibited in Missouri and Kansas City where the possessor purchased the alligator through Craig’s List and where he resides. The possessor was arrested for an unrelated outstanding warrant and animal control officers took the alligator to Monkey Island, an animal sanctuary.