Search Exotic Incidents Database

ATLANTA, GA – Zoo Atlanta said Tuesday it is mourning the loss of a 50-year-old gorilla named Machi. The zoo said she had “been living with chronic osteoarthritis that had become increasingly severe” and that “a recent physical examination identified other serious health concerns that carried a poor prognosis and significantly diminished the likelihood of meaningful recovery.”

She was the mother of Willie B. Jr., the son of Atlanta’s famed late Willie B., and was one of only two living members of Zoo Atlanta’s original group of gorillas.

SOUTH ELMWOOD, RI – The Rhode Island Department of Health is alerting the public to an incident last month involving a potentially rabid bat at the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence.

The department said that on August 24, visitors reported seeing a bat in the zoo’s water play area “exhibiting behavior that is consistent with rabies.” State health officials learned of the incident on Friday and are now investigating.

“The zoo’s veterinarian informed RIDOH that the incident was considered to be a low risk of human exposure, the bat was safely discarded per protocol, and there were no observations or reports of the bat prior to August 24,” the department said.

The bat was wild and not part of the zoo’s collection.

The bat was discarded before it could be tested for rabies, the department said. Even though the incident happened several weeks ago, health officials want anyone who had contact with a bat in the zoo around that time to contact them at 401-222-2577.

SHELBY COUNTY, TN – According to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, an exotic pet marmoset (a small monkey) was found outside a home on the porch in southeastern Shelby County. Deputies secured the monkey and worked to determine who they belonged to. The sheriff’s office also asked the public for help identifying the monkey’s owner.

The officers were able to reunite the primate with the owner.

CINCINNATI, OH – One of the birds from Cincinnati Zoo’s bird show has passed away after a decline in his health.

The Cincinnati Zoo said goodbye to Reggie the Eleonora Cockatoo, a “star” of the Wings of the Wonder Bird Show. He was known for his “hello,” upside down swinging, and wave goodbye, the zoo said.

The zoo said as he aged, he developed a feather-chewing behavior, resulting in him being taken out of the show. The zoo’s focus turned to helping Reggie get better by trying new homes, giving him enrichment, taking day trips to other areas of the zoo, and more. While none of these options worked for Reggie, he flew for the first time in his 40 years at the zoo.

In 2022, Reggie returned to the bird show after new training and a new medication regimen. But then, a large mass was discovered, pushing on his esophagus. It prevented food from passing through, and the mass was inoperable, the zoo said. Over 45 years, he performed in 6,000 shows.

MILWAUKEE, WI – The Milwaukee County Zoo is investigating a security breach near its caribou habitat.

Zoo officials said they called the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday after a man walked past a gate and entered an unauthorized area near the habitat.

Officials said the man thought an animal’s antlers were stuck in the fence and later left of his own accord. They said the man never touched any of the animals nor entered the exhibit. The zoo did not confirm if the man was arrested or will face any punishment.

The security breach comes two weeks after a child entered into an animal enclosure at the zoo’s African Savanna Yard. The child and a family member who entered the enclosure were not injured nor were any animals injured in that incident. That incident is still under investigation.

DETROIT, MI – The Detroit Zoo is mourning the loss an animal in its care for the last 11 years. Kaska, the gray wolf was euthanized on Thursday at 16 years old,

The zoo reported that Kaska, who resided in the Cotton Family Wolf Wilderness habitat, displayed “a noticeable decline in mobility, appetite and overall comfort in recent days” made worse by existing arthritis issues.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – A mandrill and long-time resident of the San Francisco Zoo has died after worsening health conditions, the zoo announced on Wednesday.

Lulu, a 24-year-old female mandrill, died on Tuesday after a medical procedure. The zoo said in a press statement that Lulu was evaluated for a possible cancerous growth on her neck after being diagnosed over the past year with anemia, kidney disease, spinal lesions, and abnormal blood calcium levels.

Lulu died after the mass was removed from her neck, the zoo said. While test results from the growth were not yet available, initial blood tests showed her other conditions had worsened. She died shortly after being returned to her enclosure despite life-saving efforts including CPR and advanced life support, the zoo said.

HARMONY, NC – According to the Department of Health and Human Services, as of Thursday, Sept. 2, local health departments reported conducting 284 exposure risk assessments related to the Farm Adventures petting zoo.

At least three baby goats belonging to the North Carolina petting zoo have tested positive for rabies, prompting state health officials to issue an urgent warning to those who visited the operation’s mobile menagerie since late July.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) said Sunday that tests Friday confirmed that the rabies virus was found in three baby goats. A fourth baby goat was not tested but was assumed to also have been infected, the agency said.

The four infected baby goats were euthanized, according to ABC affiliate station WSOC in Charlotte, N.C.

MILWAUKEE, WI – A child entered an animal habitat at the Milwaukee County Zoo on Monday, Aug. 24, prompting staff to activate emergency protocols in the African Savanna Yard.

The zoo says a staff member saw the child inside the habitat and radioed for help. Those protocols included getting guests out of the area and moving the animals off the habitat.

Alleged cellphone video shared online appears to show the child chasing a bird before a relative climbs into the habitat and helps the child out using a ladder.

The zoo says pelicans, vultures, southern ground hornbills and gazelles are among the animals that call the African Savanna Yard home.

BALTIMORE, MD – The Maryland Zoo announced the death of Davis, its remaining male cheetah, following complications from chronic gastrointestinal issues.

Zoo officials said Davis was euthanized after his condition recently worsened despite intensive care from the zoo’s medical and animal-care teams.

He was nearly 12 years old. Davis had lived alone in his African Journey boardwalk habitat since the death of his brother, Bud, in 2023.