September 3, 2002 Washington, DC Keltie, a 23-year-old grey seal who had suffered from decades of chronic health problems, died of unknown causes. Her health issues included a fungal skin infection that left her with white spots on her nose and above her eyes, and also affected her flipper, making it bleed for months. She had also lost many teeth. Marine
September 2, 2002 Washington, DC Griff, a 19-year-old female Masai giraffe, died after a week-long illness. Other
September 1, 2002 Pascagoula, MS A man suffered four bites to his arm by his “pet” rattlesnake and was rushed to the hospital for antivenin. Reptiles
August 28, 2002 Tampa, FL A “pet” kinkajou scratched and bit three children. A judge ordered that the animal be euthanized to test for rabies. Other
August 23, 2002 Norfolk, VA A handler with Sterling and Reid Circus faces animal cruelty charges after being accussed of beating an elephant resulting in bloody lacertations on the animal. The chief animal handler with the circus was also arrested. Elephants
August 21, 2002 Washington, DC A Micronesian kingfisher was rushed to the zoo hospital in a weak condition, with labored breathing. The bird was treated with fluids and later force-fed a baby mouse, according to a pathology report. The bird was found dead at the hospital the next day, with the mouse lodged in its throat. The cause of death was determined to be West Nile Virus. Small Cats
August 17, 2002 Howard Beach, NY A woman was bitten on the hand by her “pet” python at a motel. Reptiles
August 14, 2002 Red Bluff, CA A 17-ft-long python escaped through an open window but was recaptured. Reptiles
August 12, 2002 Haywood County, NC A rattlesnake bit a man’s leg during a force-feeding procedure. Reptiles