Search Exotic Incidents Database

An 8-year-old capuchin monkey was found dead of plague at the Denver Zoo. Officials suspected the monkey contracted the plague from eating the carcass of an infected dead squirrel. The zoo’s other 17 monkeys were temporarily taken off exhibit and given preventive antibiotics.

Bill Clinton, a 6-ft-long emu, escaped from his home and was loose for nearly a week before being recaptured outside a nursing home. The animal later died at the Orange County Animal Shelter. Officials suspected that the police tasered the emu.

Fire-fighters investigating a fire in a basement apartment found several exotic animals, including a 12-ft-long Burmese python, a baby alligator, and a variety of reptiles including frogs and turtles. Several tarantulas, black widow spiders, two cobra snakes, and an alligator died of smoke inhalation. Officials were investigating to determine the identity of the possessor.

An employee of the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo was bitten by a black bear when he reached through a hole in the cage to pet the bear and the animal clamped down on his arm. The man is treated and released from South Alabama Medical Center.

Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputies raided a rural residence in response to reports of animal cruelty. Deputies and veterinarians removed more than 100 animals from the property, many suffering from malnourishment and lack of water, shelter, and medical care. Among the many animals found were exotic animals, including 13 monkeys. Child Protective Services also removed two children, ages 5 and 16, from the residence a day earlier.

A 5-year-old boy was bitten by a meerkat at the Henry Doorly Zoo. This was the second bite incident within a week. After this, the exhibit underwent a second round of modifications in hopes of preventing future injuries.

Police were alerted to the discovery of a 3-ft-long American Allligator lying beneath a vehicle in Stafford’s Green Acres subdivision. Animal Control officers were able to capture the alligator which was later turned over to the Luray Reptile Center.

Roxy-Bell, a 5-lb 7-year-old wallaby, escaped her kennel during a flight change in Salt Lake City. It’s theorized that vibration may have loosened the buckles on the side of her kennel. Airport workers caught the wallaby within five minutes after she hopped onto the tarmac.

Cricket, an 8-year-old mountain lion, returned to her home after she had escaped from her cage. The lion’s possessor noticed the lion was not in her cage and that the lock had been removed when he attempted to feed her. Cricket was declawed on both her front and back paws.

The owner of an exotic animal farm died after being kicked and then sat on by an 1,800-lb camel. A local TV news crew was filming the animals at the exotic farm when Polo, the camel, became agitated and attacked the woman. The husband said he would find a new home for Polo.