July 31, 2004 Queens, NY Apollo, a white tiger, escaped from Cole Bros. Circus and wandered through a park, across Jackie Robinson Parkway, and through nearby residential streets. The incident caused a multi-car accident, and 4 adults and 1 child suffered minor injuries. The 450-pound tiger was eventually coaxed back into his cage. Big Cats
July 29, 2004 Severn, MD A wallaby was spotted wandering in the backyard of a family’s home. Two months later (10/01/04) the wallaby was captured. Other
July 27, 2004 San Antonio, TX A performing killer whale attacked a trainer for several minutes during a performance at SeaWorld Adventure Park in Texas. Witnesses report that the whale kept slamming the trainer underwater before apparently trying to take a bite out of him. Marine
July 26, 2004 Zanesville, OH A wild cat sighted in the area was linked to an attack on a pony. A wildlife research technician believed the cat was probably someone’s “pet.” The cat was later spotted (on 09/29/04) in the front yard of a house. Big Cats
July 23, 2004 Shepherdsville, KY A 2-year-old, 50-lb declawed snow leopard escaped from a cage while the cat was being transferred between cages. The startled cat broke through a wire gate and ran into the woods behind the house. The leopard was located nine days later and returned to the possessor. Big Cats
July 14, 2004 Fresno, CA A lion with Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus was found dead after crossing the Mojave Desert in the circus train, en route from Arizona to Fresno, CA. The circus was awaiting the results of a necropsy. The show opened as scheduled in Fresno. Big Cats
July 13, 2004 Mojave Desert, CA A 2-year-old lion named Clyde died in a boxcar during a sweltering train ride through the Mojave desert. The U.S. Department of Agriculture investigated the incident but did not take further action. Big Cats
July 12, 2004 Vero Beach, FL A 16-ft-long Burmese python was captured on a city street after a passing motorist spotted the animal. An Animal Control officer suspected the snake escaped or was let loose. Reptiles
July 12, 2004 Loxahatchee, FL A 600-lb Bengal-Siberian tiger escaped form its enclosure and was loose for 26 hours before being shot and killed by a wildlife officer. The tiger was kept by Steve Sipek who played Tarzan in early movies. Mr. Sipek keeps several big cats and although his land is too small to conform to regulation, he was grandfathered in. Big Cats
July 8, 2004 Loxahatchee, FL A 6-year-old tiger belonging to the actor who played Tarzan escaped from his enclosure and jumped the 12-ft fence that surrounded the property. The tiger was later located and killed. Big Cats