Search Exotic Incidents Database

Illinois officials reported receiving multiple calls from locals who reported seeing a cougar in the area. Since mountain lions have not been here since the 1860s, the animal was likely an escaped or released “pet.”

A 9-year-old cougar escaped his cage and spent the night prowling his “owner’s” property before being recaptured and recaged.

A “pet” bear escaped from his barn but was caught shortly thereafter. The animal was one of the bears mentioned 02/17/04. The remaining “pet” black bears were seized by Animal Control officers.

A veterinarian with 35 years’ experience handling snakes narrowly avoided death after being bitten by a “pet” rattlesnake. Antivenin was located and administered at the last minute.

Several people reported seeing a cougar roaming within the city limits. Wildlife officials could not confirm a reintroduction of wild mountain lions into the state and suggested the possibility that this was an escaped or released “pet.”

A “pet” cougar was found lounging near a neighbor’s pool 500 yards away from his home. The possessor retrieved the animal without incident, but she had to appear in court for allowing the cougar to escape.

An escaped 250-lb bear was caught after one night and confined to a cage with two other bears. Her “owner” had a total of ten bears, which he kept in his yard behind a 6-ft chain link fence.

A cougar had been spotted several times since January. The cougar was either an escaped or released “pet” as there have been no wild cougars in the state since the turn of the 19th century.

A man was apparently changing the bedding of his “pet” lion’s pen when he was mauled to death.

A woman was attacked by her “pet” leopard while petting the animal inside its cage. She was rushed to the hospital and underwent surgery to her face and skull. Police officers and her brother-in-law shot the animal.