July 21, 2015 Columbus, OH Joshua Newell jumped over an outer fence to pet cougars, then posted a video of the encounter on YouTube. The zoo pressed charges for trespassing. Small Cats
July 15, 2015 San Antonio, TX A three-week old baby beluga whale has died at the Texas SeaWorld despite round-the-clock efforts to save its life. Marine
July 15, 2015 Minneapolis, MN A man named Nathan Tow-Arnett was bitten on the forearm by his pet Mangshan viper. He survived, but it prompted a police investigation because owning venomous snakes is illegal in Minneapolis. Police found 22 snake eggs, 15 snakes (including 2 diamondback rattlers), 22 lizards, and many domestic cats in unsanitary conditions. 18 of those eggs – 13 of them vipers – later hatched at an animal control facility. The snakes are now living at Reptile Gardens zoo. Reptiles
July 14, 2015 Des Moines, IA An 18-year-old tiger named Goldy was euthanized due to an age-related illness. Big Cats
July 13, 2015 Brookfield, IL 54 stingrays died when there was a malfunction in the oxygen system at the Brookfield Zoo. The Ray exhibit will remain closed for the summer. Other
July 10, 2015 Memphis, TN Zimm, a 3-year old macaque, escaped from her enclosure at the Memphis Zoo and took refuge in the zoo’s drainage system. She was caught two days later. Primates
July 7, 2015 Apple Valley, MN A grizzly bear at the Minnesota Zoo smashed the glass of his enclosure with a rock. No patrons were in danger. Bears
July 7, 2015 Oklahoma City, OK Jaxon, a 2-year old sea lion, was found dead by staff. Necropsy results were inconclusive. Marine
July 4, 2015 Detroit, MI A University of Michigan student was trying to sell his wallaby on-line. Possession of the exotic animal was illegal due to a local ordinance, and he needed a permit to sell the animal, which he did not have. When contacted by PETA the student claimed he returned the wallaby to a breeder. Other
July 4, 2015 Ladue, MO A pet African serval cat named Rex escaped from his home and has been missing. Small Cats