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A man pleaded guilty to several charges of unlawful possession of a Canadian timber wolf. The wolf was confiscated and transferred to a menagerie in another part of the state.

An otter at the Salisbury Zoo bit a 16-year-old boy after he reportedly put his hand in the otter cage. This incident came just five days after a jaguar tore off part of a man’s finger. See 10/30/04 entry.

An 18-year-old circus worker was bitten by a bear while trying to break up aggressive behavior among several bears at the Big Cat Habitat. He was flown to Bayfront Medical Center where he was listed in fair condition.

A former circus elephant pushed through a fence to escape from a farm and was found following day. The 40-year-old, 5-ton female Asian elephant had several cuts when found, which her caretaker said were likely from her making her way through the fence.

A jaguar at the Salisbury Zoo tore off part of a man’s finger after the zoo visitor stuck his hand in the jaguar’s cage. The incident came five days before an otter bit a 16-year-old boy. See 11/04/04 entry.

A Barbary ape was shot at Cash Wiley’s Exotic Animal Ranch by an unknown shooter. The incident was being investigated by Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Department. The monkey, named Rascal, was found floating in a pond the day after Halloween. Rascal was the dominant male in a group of seven primates.

Five wildebeests escaped from the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. Rather than moving into the barn where they usually spent the winter, five of the zoo’s seven wildebeests ran toward the opposite end of the exhibit and broke through a gate in a 10-foot-high fence. Two wildebeests suffered severe breaks to their front legs and were euthanized. The remaining three leaped a 4-foot-wall and eluded zoo and city staff for 2-1/2 hours while they ran through nearby neighborhoods. The animals were finally tranquilized and returned to the zoo.

A 2-ft-long alligator was found in the surf near the shore of Lake Michigan. The alligator was recaptured.

Tatima, a 35-year-old African elephant at the Lincoln Park Zoo, was found dead in her enclosure. Zoo officials believed she died of tuberculosis, which came as a surprise to zookeepers who were unaware that tuberculosis could be a problem. Handlers were keeping a close eye over the two remaining elephants and other animals that resided in close proximity to the elephant habitat. Tatima arrived in 2003 from the wild animal park in San Diego.

A serval escaped from her residence and was loose for three weeks. The cat escaped through a storm door. She was subsequently recaptured on 11/10/04.