Search Exotic Incidents Database

A man stepped out on his porch to grab the newspaper only to find a 3-1/2-ft-long boa constrictor dead on his lawn. Police who were investigating said the snake had bite wounds near his head.

The Honolulu Zoo said it would undergo a review of all its safety procedures after a zookeeper accidently left the gate to the orangutan exhibit open. It was the second time in six months that such an incident happened at the zoo.

A volunteer was attacked by Tony, an 800-lb tiger at Wesa-A-Geh-Yah. The possessor’s wife shot at the tiger but only wounded him. Her husband shot and killed the tiger. Authorities were investigating. The injured volunteer was life-flighted to the hospital where he underwent surgery for serious injuries to his lower left leg. **Update: 09/25/08. Owners of Wesa-A-Geh-Ya Wild Animal Park in Warren County and one of its board members were charged with evidence-tampering for allegedly trying to cover up the August 3rd tiger attack on a volunteer. The volunteer had part of his leg amputated as a result of the attack. **Update: Ken and Sandra Smith pleaded guilty in early January 2009 to charges of tampering with evidence. Both were given probation.

A 9-year-old female giraffe named Gezi died at the San Francisco Zoo. Cause of death was not confirmed but was believed to be from cardiac and respiratory arrest during a physical exam. During her time at the zoo she gave birth to two giraffes, one of which was given to a facility in Illinois (the other remained at the San Francisco Zoo). Normal life span for giraffes is 15-20 years in the wild and several years longer in captivity.

Canoeists found a 3-ft-long alligator in the White River. A state conservation officer captured the alligator and turned him over to a pet store in Anderson.

Officials captured a 3-ft-long ball python. Outreach for Animals cared for the snake until she was placed with a reptile rescue operation.

One hundred seventeen cats, a raccoon, and a rabbit were found living in a feces- and urine-covered house. Humane society workers removed the animals after police caught the home’s owner stealing cat food. Society officials reported that the woman previously had more than 200 cats taken from her home. The woman faced possible citations for cruelty to animals and other charges.

Officials confiscated a bear cub found tied to a fence. The bear was probably someone’s “pet.” Dayton Humane Society took in the bear cub.

A bank patron entered a local bank and his “pet” monkey was invited inside by a bank employee. The monkey ran rampant and caused quite a stir. The monkey’s possessor called the monkey by name, retrieved him, and left the bank. No injuries were reported.

Two or possibly three caimans were spotted on the opposite side of the possessor’s property. Authorities were able to capture two of the caimans but one remained missing and was spotted nearby another neighbor’s man-made pond.