Search Exotic Incidents Database

Health officials linked eleven cases of E. coli infection in children to a petting zoo at Merrymead Farm. Eight children were hospitalized, and six developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney damage.

A “pet” bobcat escaped from an exotic “pet” show after her cage slipped off a cart and the cage opened. The cat was seen roaming an Eastside neighborhood and was subsequently recaptured.

A tiger at the Siberian Tiger Foundation bit a 10-year-old boy on the leg. The boy and his father had paid to enter the compound for a “close encounter” with Siberian tigers chained to posts. The boy was treated at a local hospital and released. According to the USDA, ten instances of people being injured by tigers occurred in the previous 9-month period at this facility.

A “pet” panther on the loose and was spotted on three separate occasions throughout a residential neighborhood.

Evelyn, a gorilla at the Los Angeles Zoo, used overgrown honeysuckle vines to pull herself out of her enclosure and wandered the grounds for an hour until subdued by a tranquilizer dart. All patrons were evacuated and no visitors or staff were injured in the incident.

An emu was found shot to death on a creek bank. It was suspected that the emu was someone’s “pet.”

A woman found a bag on the side of the road, which contained a boa constrictor. The snake was probably an abandoned “pet.”

A black leopard cub and tiger cub escaped from their cages after the truck in which they were being transported crashed.

Two lions escaped from a farm and killed several animals. Both lions were subsequently killed.

Barney, a “pet” monkey, injured a child at a motel. The monkey either bit or scratched the 4-year-old girl’s cheek. Barney’s possessor was staying in the room adjacent to the girl’s room.