December 1, 2009 Marion County, TN Two hunters discovered a 3-ft-long alligator while hunting on Aetna Mountain. They captured the alligator and turned him over to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Reptiles
November 29, 2009 Carlsbad, CA Two hikers walking a trail at Aviara Cove in Batiquitos Lagoon spotted a 5-ft-long Burmese python snake. A volunteer from the Lagoon’s Nature Center captured the snake and County Animal Control took possession of him. Reptiles
November 27, 2009 Yonkers, NY Police captured a 5-ft-long boa constrictor on a Yonkers street. The snake, cold and lethargic when picked up, was turned over to the Exotic Pet Warehouse. Reptiles
November 27, 2009 Hollywood, FL A Florida man was reunited with his 1-year-old “pet” marmoset named Simon. Simon vanished as his possessor was preparing for a move from Hollywood to Fort Lauderdale. An unidentified man captured Simon and sold him. Authorities convinced the man to disclose the identity of the person to whom he sold Simon and they were able to return him to his possessor. Primates
November 24, 2009 Wylie, TX Jasa, a 40-lb African serval cat, escaped her home and was missing. The possessor said she was trained, microchipped, and wearing a red harness and color. Traps were set but so far she remained loose. Small Cats
November 22, 2009 Laporte, IN A “pet” monkey attacked and caused injuries to a visitor’s infant child. Visiting parents got too close to the “pet” monkey’s cage when the monkey grabbed the hood of the baby’s coat, causing the baby’s head to repeatedly strike the metal cage. The infant’s injuries were not life-threatening. and she was treated and released from the hospital the same night. Indiana is one of the few states that permits monkeys to be housed as “pets” without a permit. Primates
November 22, 2009 Oldsmar, FL Pinellas County Sheriffs deputies and officials from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were unsuccessful in capturing a 30-lb monkey that was seen in trees and rooftops near an apartment complex. The monkey eluded them and disappeared into a heavily-wooded area. Officials warned residents that the monkey could be aggressive and asked them to contact authorities if he was spotted again. Primates
November 20, 2009 Delhi, LA More than a dozen wild sika deer remained at large after escaping through a 20-ft gap in their fenced enclosure. Louisiana Department of Wildlife agents expressed concern that the exotic deer could be carrrying foreign diseases and called on hunters to track and kill the deer. Other
November 14, 2009 Foley, AL A former zoo employee captured a loose capuchin monkey in a tarp but the monkey escaped again. A resident who claimed he was looking for his “pet” capuchin commented that he’d leave his contact info if he was unsuccessful in finding the monkey. Primates
November 7, 2009 Las Cruces, NM A bobcat was recaptured at the former home of an exotic cat breeder. Another larger cat was thought to be missing. Traps were set and the cat posed no threat to humans. The cat’s possessor was evicted from his home for keeping unpermitted exotic animals. County Control Officers continued to capture other exotic-looking domestic cats from the resident and the investigation was ongoing. Small Cats