Animal News

Three animal transport crates containing endangered reptiles were found abandoned at Oliver Tambo Airport in Johannesburg. The crates, destined for the Czech Republic, were taken to the Johannesburg Zoo and unpacked. Contrary to the consignment listing lizards and frogs, the crates contained hundreds of snakes, geckos, lizards, chameleons, and arthropods,. About 10 to 15 percent of the animals had died during the five to six days they had been in the crates. More were expected to die of dehydration during the following days.

Reptiles abandoned at OR Tambo
The Times

Tammy Lewis thought it was strange when her dog, Jeezy, went missing. The 11-month-old puppy usually did not wander far from her home. He mostly remained around the house, playing with his older brother. "Most of the time they stayed in the yard, they really didn't go anywhere," Lewis said. "But one day they were gone." The next day the family went looking for the lost dog. They trudged through the woods as far as a half-mile from home, but found no sign of him. A week later Lewis's neighbor told her why. Her dog was dead. And so was his bluetick coonhound.

Dog Owners Shocked, Saddened By Shootings
Kevin Allen
Rappahannock News

A 17-year-old and a 14-year-old were arrested at the Cohanzick Zoo in New Jersey after witnesses saw and heard them shoot at a rare white Bengal tiger and a black Asiatic bear. The boys were charged on multiple weapons counts. In addition, the SPCA signed charges against both boys for tormenting an animal. Neither of the animals was seriously injured.

Two teens shoot bear, tiger at N.J. zoo
Sam Wood
Philadelphia Inquirer

It was supposed to be a quiet morning walk with the family dogs before the Super Bowl ...

Pets fall prey to illegal traps
Elizabeth Shaw
The Flint Journal

Endangered animals are the new blood diamonds as militias and warlords use poaching to fund death.

Extinction Trade
Sharon Begley
Newsweek

Two months after a Siberian tiger mauled three men at the San Francisco Zoo — resulting in the death of one of them — two other men were allegedly caught late Thursday throwing acorns at the zoo's two black rhinos. Zoo officials said the rhinos, which are endangered, did not appear agitated by the incident. "I'm so glad the system works well," zoo spokesman Paul Garcia said, referring to the emergency hotline phones that were installed after the maulings by Tatiana the tiger on Christmas Day. (There is no reference int he news story to the use of the hotline phones.)

Man cited for allegedly throwing acorns at San Francisco Zoo's rhinos
Linda Goldston
San Jose Mercury News

With alternately tearful goodbyes and barely contained impatience, more than 100 South Floridians surrendered their unwanted exotic animals at the Miami MetroZoo on Saturday. The Exotic Pet Amnesty Day event was designed to give owners a safer alternative to turning the critters loose. Of the more than 150 pets handed over, all but six found new homes.

It's A Zoo Out There: Event Collects 150 Exotic Pets
Rasha Madkour
Associated Press

An animal sanctuary where nearly 100 animals died in a fire last month remains open despite not being licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, records show. A consent order filed Aug. 14, 2006, states that Safari Joe's Wildlife Ranch, also known as Safari Joe's Exotic Wildlife Rescue, owned by Joe Estes, has a history of violations, according to the USDA. An administrative law judge ruled that Estes had committed at least 39 violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act.

Embattled animal ranch is still open
Jeff Billington
Tulsa World