Search Exotic Incidents Database

A large snake, assumed to be an escaped pet, was seen multiple times in town. Police have been searching for it.

Authorities were called to a home to help capture an escaped 12-foot-long pet boa constrictor. However, the snake eluded Animal Control by disappearing into a hole in the ground. The snake was later recaptured.

Olivia, a 29-year-old dromedary camel, died of unknown causes.

Two male red pandas died within 2 days at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, a research center associated with the National Zoo. Necropsy results came back with “no obvious contributing factors,” but it’s likely that the extremely hot weather exacerbated a health problem.

Vandals broke into Bear Hollow Zoo, damaging property and releasing a screech owl. The bird was being cared for by the zoo due to injury, and has not been found. Officials fear the bird may die in the wild.

Kipaku, an African painted dog, died after a scheduled dental procedure due to complications with the anesthesia.

Zoya, a female tiger, died after the zoo attempted to breed her with a male tiger named Ivan. Zoya became aggressive with Ivan, and zookeepers tried to use a fire extinguisher to separate the tigers. However, Zoya received a fatal injury to her neck as Ivan defended himself against her.

A Komodo dragon named Jude, who was on loan to the Virginia Aquarium from the San Antonio Zoo, was put down following an emergency surgery. Jude had become lethargic and had to have her reproductive tract removed but never recovered.

Firefighters responding to a fire rescued a boa constrictor they found in the bathroom of the house. It appeared to have escaped its enclosure, and it survived the fire.

An alligator was seen on the beach next to a lake. The next day, officers captured the 30-inch gator with a fishing net. It’s likely the reptile was a pet that either got loose or was set free.