Search Exotic Incidents Database

A 58-year old man cut the locks on the animal cages, including a mountain lion and alligators, at Everglades Wonder Gardens. A worker was able to contain most of the animals before anything happened. The same worker was able to tackle the man who cut the locks and held him until authorities arrived. One deer did escape and was killed by a motorist.

An illegal hybrid diamond back rattlesnake was seized from an apartment in Olympia. The owner may face a civil fine.

A 4-and-a-half-foot red-tail boa constrictor was found curled up on a heating vent in a vacated apartment. The snake was taken to a sanctuary.

According to a citation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, zookeepers failed to notice or seek veterinary care for a tiger (Maverick) with clear medical issues. Maverick had a severe limp on his right foreleg,
walked with a crah-like posture, and would stumble and fall onto his shoulder when walking. The USDA inspectors reported that he seemed to be in pain, as evidenced
by his growling and swatting at his cage mate when that animal approached.

According to a citation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, zookeepers failed to notice that a cougar named Baby was dead in her enclosure until the inspector observed and pointed out that Baby was coated
in snow and that her body was rigid.

A Ringling Brothers elephant, Carol, was shot in the shoulder in a drive-by. The shooting is deemed a federal offense because Asian elephants are an endangered species. There is a reward for $33,000 for information leading to an arrest.

A monkey described as a capuchin by authorities, but more closely resembling a vervet, escaped from its enclosure and was spotted on a residential road. Although authorities were told by the guardian to shoot the monkey when found, a nearby business owner was able to safely capture the primate with fruits. The monkey sustained injuries to his tail while on the run.

A ball python and a chihuahua were taken from a home in retaliation by a former acquaintance. The dog was later found unhurt, but the python was discovered dead in a plastic bag.

A corn snake kept at a local library was intentionally harmed and killed when someone poured a heavy-duty cleaning solvent on it. The suspect has not been caught.

A Wyoming County man was charged with illegally possessing a Burmese python. The snake was removed from the residence and the man was issued an appearance ticket for court.