June 13, 2007 Atlanta, GA Norton, a 23-foot juvenile whale shark, was euthanized after he slowly spiraled to the bottom of his tank. His death marked the second time a whale shark died at the Atlanta Aquarium. Ralph died five months earlier. Marine
June 12, 2007 Waterbury, CT Vermont game wardens seized two primates from an Eden home and charged a man with illegally importing and possessing the animals. The primates were identified as a Rhesus Macaque and a Debrazza’s monkey. The two primates were to be transferred to a wild animal rescue organization in another state. Primates
June 8, 2007 Seattle, WA Hansa, a 6-year-old baby elephant at the Woodland Park Zoo, died in her sleep. Initial post-mortem testing was inconclusive. She had been experiencing colic-like symptoms during the week prior to her death, but a definitive cause of her symptoms had yet to be determined. Update 07/02/07: After a necropsy was performed, it was subsequently determined that Hansa died from a newly discovered herpes virus. Elephants
June 5, 2007 Fountaintown, IN A 6-ft-tall “pet” kangaroo that escaped from his possessor’s home in rural Indiana died just a few hours after his capture. Cause of death was under investigation but his possessor alleged he died of a tranquilizer overdose. Other
June 1, 2007 Woodstock, IL An Iowa man filed lawsuit against the Hawthorn Corporation circus training facility for medical bills and pain and suffering that resulted from his alleged mauling by a tiger in July 2005, just before a planned photo shoot with 14 animals. Big Cats
May 31, 2007 Bay County, MI Wallets, an escaped 4-l/2-ft-long “pet” alligator, was found by his possessor and returned to his home. Reptiles
May 29, 2007 Blaine, MN A kinkajou escaped from its possessor’s shed and was found curled up on a resident’s backyard deck. A Blaine County Service Officer easily recaptured the kinkajou and turned it over to the humane society. The possessor did not have proper permits and the kinkajou was to be released to a sanctuary. Other
May 28, 2007 Rifle, CO A possessor of a camel ranch was seriously hurt when a camel kicked him and then lay down on him. The man was taken to Grand River Medical Center. His condition was not known. Other
May 27, 2007 Casselberry , FL Police said they shot a 4-1/2-ft-long, 80-lb monitor lizard that had been seen frequently near a retention pond. Police were looking for the lizard’s body. Reptiles
May 23, 2007 Rockville, MD Armani, a capuchin monkey, was seized by Montgomery County Animal Control authorities because the monkey’s guardian lacked proper licensing and permits to keep the monkey. Armani was being cared for at a Thurmont zoo. Primates