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The following is a partial list of attacks on humans and other incidents involving animals used in traveling acts and other animal exhibits in the U.S. and Canada since 1990. Captive elephant and captive feline attacks on humans are responsible for hundreds of injuries, many resulting in death.
| Date | Place | Incident |
| 01/16/07 | Little Rock, AR | Judy, chimpanzee at Little Rock Zoo, escapes her enclosure into nearby service area when zookeeper opens door to sleeping quarters, unaware that she is still inside. Judy is sedated and returned to her enclosure. (www.yahoonews.com, Associated Press) |
| 01/02/07 | Atlanta, GA | Gasper, 17-year-old beluga whale at Georgia Aquarium, is euthanized after months of declining health. Gasper had been in poor health since before his arrival at aquarium in October 2005, having been on display in substandard conditions at amusement park in Mexico City. (Associated Press) |
| 12/30/06 | Tarpon Springs, FL | 14-foot python bites 18-year-old handler during daily snake show at Tarpon Springs Aquarium. Police resort to stun gun to force snake to release woman. Handler suffers puncture wounds to wrist. Aquarium owner cancels snake show indefinitely. (www.cnn.com) |
| 12/22/06 | San Francisco, CA | Tatiana, 350-lb, 3-year-old Siberian tiger, attacks and injures trainer at San Francisco Zoo shortly after public feeding. Visitors are quickly evacuated after incident, and exhibit is closed pending investigation of attack. Woman is taken to local hospital, and may lose her arm as result of her injuries. (www.cnn.com) |
| 12/22/06 | Washington, DC | Worker discovers that clouded leopard is missing from its enclosure at National Zoo. Zoo is cordoned off and searched. Leopard is found sleeping near enclosure, is anesthetized and returned to enclosure. (www.cnn.com) |
| 12/21/06 | Lufkin, TX | Rare Chinese alligator is reported missing from Ellen Trout Zoo. Zoo officials spend majority of day looking for alligator, but are unsuccessful. Though only 3 feet in length, alligator is reportedly "capable of causing great harm if it bites a person". (www.ktre.com) |
| 12/02/06 | Uhrichsville, OH | Boo-Boo, 6-year old bear at Patterson Wildlife Ranch, bites 4-year old grandson of facility owner. Boy loses finger. Bear is quarantined pending Health Department inspection. (The Times Reporter) |
| 11/24/06 | Evansville, IN | Animal trainer is clawed by tiger during performance of Hadi Shrine Circus. Trainer is treated at local medical center for injuries to his hand and leg. (Courier & Press) |
| 11/17/06 | Spartanburg, SC | Donna, 48-year old Asian elephant at Hollywild Animal Park, dies suddenly. Autopsy is scheduled to determine cause of death. (www.myrtlebeachonline.com, Associated Press) |
| 11/14/06 | Gulf Breeze, FL | 2 cougars at The Zoo of Northwest Florida escape enclosure due to broken fencing. Cougars are located by helicopter equipped with heat-seeking sensors and recaptured after nearly 3 hours of freedom. No one is injured. (Pensacola News Journal) |
| 11/13/06 | Gulf Breeze, FL | Zookeeper at The Zoo of Northwest Florida is injured by 2-year-old leopard after getting too close to cage. Zookeeper is treated for deep puncture wounds and lacerations to her hands at local hospital. (Pensacola News Journal) |
| 10/16/06 | Fleetwood, NC | Woman crosses barrier fence and puts her arm into cage to pet leopard at New River Zoo. Leopard bites her, causing severe cuts requiring surgery. Leopard is euthanized to test for rabies. Zoo subsequently closes temporarily, pending results of investigation into incident. (www.journalnow.com — online partner of Winston-Salem Journal) |
| 10/16/06 | Akron, OH | White tiger attacks USDA veterinarian during follow-up inspection of animals at L&L Exotic Animal Farm. Federal charges are currently pending against facility owner, who has been cited by USDA for 900 violations of animal care rules. (www.Ohio.com) |
| 10/06/06 | Hesperia, CA | Tiger escapes from handler at Cinema Safari Zoo during preparations for photo shoot and attempts to attack donkey. Tiger is sedated and returned to cage. Donkey is not injured. (www.nbc4.tv) |
| 08/31/06 | El Paso, TX | El Paso Zoo collections supervisor is fired for allegedly failing to follow animal handling policies and procedures during August 1 incident where he allegedly struck Juno, 39-year-old Asian elephant. This is 2nd allegation of abuse at zoo involving same man, who was seen on 1999 training tape beating Sissy, Asian elephant subsequently relocated to Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. (www.kfoxtv.com) |
| 08/25/06 | Chippewa Falls, WI | Bobcat is killed by cougar after wandering into cougar cage when zookeeper forgets to lock door between cages at Irvine Park Zoo. (Chicago Sun-Times) |
| 08/22/06 | Tampa, FL | 14-year old Sumatran tiger, Enshala, is shot and killed after she slips through open door and into enclosure construction area at Lowry Park Zoo after zookeeper leaves door latch unlocked. Zookeeper is subsequently fired and may face criminal charges for unsafe behavior. (www.abcactionnews.com, St. Petersburg Times) |
| 08/20/06 | Orlando, FL | 7-year old boy is bitten on hand while petting dolphin at Sea World's Dolphin Cove. 2 adults pry dolphin's mouth open to free boy, who sustains minor bruising injuries. Report indicates this is Sea World's 2nd dolphin bite incident in 3 weeks. (Orlando Sentinel) |
| 08/08/06 | Marshall, TX | Truck containing penguins, exotic fish, and octopus overturns while transporting animals from Indianapolis Zoo to Galveston Zoo. 4 penguins and some fish are killed, 1 penguin is injured. (www.kgbt4.com) |
| 08/08/06 | Brownsville, TX | Pita, 7-year old spider monkey at Gladys Porter Zoo, escapes her holding area for about 2 hours during annual physical, but is captured before leaving zoo grounds. (The Brownsville Herald) |
| 08/02/06 | Apple Valley, MN | 9-year old girl is bitten when she ignores warning signs, climbs over barrier, and reaches down into enclosure in attempt to pet meerkats at Minnesota Zoo. Zoo is forced to euthanize entire family of 5 meerkats to test them for rabies. Meerkats tested negative for rabies. (www.kare11.com) |
| 07/31/06 | Wallkill, CA | Capuchin monkey named Gucci escapes from small circus at annual Orange County Fair and is spotted perched on roadside guardrail. Monkey is still at large and public is urged not to attempt to capture monkey. (www.recordonline.com — Times Herald Record) |
| 07/18/06 | Ballston Spa, NY | White Tiger named Calcutta slashes head of 4-year-old boy at Saratoga County Fair as child poses for photo holding baby kangaroo at exotic animal photo exhibit presented by Ashville Game Farm. Exhibit is continued, with minor adjustments (additional barrier installed and photo bench moved farther from cage). Calcutta is 1 of 2 tigers on display in sweltering summer heat. Saratoga County Fair also routinely features performing bear show. (www.wten.com, www.timesunion.com) |
| 07/17/06 | Portland, OR | Free-ranging peacock attacks toddler at Oregon Zoo, causing scratches to shoulder and welts on both arms. (www.kgw.com) |
| 07/02/06 | Roanoke, VA | When zookeeper fails to lock door while cleaning enclosure, Japanese macaque Oops lets herself out and escapes from Mill Mountain Zoo. Due to concerns for public safety, zoo is forced to close for day to search for missing monkey. Oops is subsequently recovered 1 week later, spotted more than 1 mile away from zoo. (The Roanoke Times, www.dailypress.com, Richmond Times-Dispatch) |
| 06/16/06 | Dallas, TX | Bengal tiger escapes from enclosure due to electrical outage, and mauls landscape worker at Zoo Dynamics exotic animal facility. Man's wounds require more than 2,000 stitches. (www.cbs11tv.com) [Owner of Zoo Dynamics has previously been charged with multiple animal care and handling violations by USDA, as well as being charged in civil suit for alleged violations under his facility's previous name, ZooCats, Inc. Animals from Zoo Dynamics have also been involved in previous injury incidents (see 02/12/05). (www.terrelltribune.com)] |
| 06/10/06 | Los Angeles, CA | Gita, 48-year-old Asian elephant at Los Angeles Zoo, dies in her enclosure. Activists protest her death outside zoo citing unnatural conditions at zoo being responsible for her death. (Los Angeles Daily News) |
| 06/09/06 | Carroll County, MD | 6-foot kangaroo named Buddy escapes from Carroll County Petting Zoo when storms winds blow his cage door open. He is spotted by motorist about 1 mile away in cow pasture and is caught by net. (www.nbc4.com) |
| 06/09/06 (reported) |
Syracuse, NY | 29-year-old Asian elephant Romani at Rosamond Gifford Zoo gives birth to stillborn calf. This would have been Romani's 4th birth. (United Press International) |
| 06/07/06 | Solon, IA | 4-foot South American caiman is fatally shot by resident who stumbles upon alligator-like animal after it escapes from Witty Kitties animal shelter. (The Iowa City Press Citizen) |
| 05/18/06 (reported) |
White Hills, AZ | 2 tigers at Keepers of the Wild animal sanctuary attack woman; she requires surgery. Owner of sanctuary apparently does not report incident, but USDA finds out and opens investigation into attack. (KLASTV.com) |
| 04/30/06 | Labelle, FL | Owner of nature preserve is bitten by 8-foot alligator and dragged 15 feet into water after he tries stunt of jumping on alligator's back for ride and wrestling alligator. Man suffers shattered pinky, broken ring finger, and puncture wounds to his hand. Despite incident, he states he is unlikely to give up alligator wrestling. (Associated Press) |
| 04/29/06 | Toledo, OH | 2-1/2-year-old male bongo antelope dies at Toledo Zoo 1 day after he breaks rear leg in panicked run that includes jumping fence and ending up in rhinoceros exhibit's moat. Witnesses say antelope panics after butting electrified wire and his horns become entangled in wire. He also has abrasions on his face. This incident comes 9 days after impala is euthanized due to broken back that occurs while zookeepers load animal into trailer for transfer to another zoo. (The Toledo Blade) |
| 04/17/06 | San Diego, CA | Koza, 5-month-old male lion cub, is mauled by adult lioness at San Diego Wild Animal Park after keeper mistakenly removes wire barrier separating cub from adult lion. Attack severely damages cub's spinal cord and cub is euthanized. Park spokeswoman says removal of barrier was "human error." (The San Diego Union-Tribune) |
| 04/15/06 | Toledo, OH | Female rhinoceros hornbill dies at Toledo Zoo from what officials believe is heart disease. Zoo has been trying to breed her. (The Toledo Blade) |
| 04/11/06 | Kissimmee, FL | 7 children and 1 adult are injured when horse at Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament tramples group of students during field trip. 4 children are taken to hospital. (Internet Broadcasting Systems, Local6.com) |
| 03/25/06 (reported) |
Santa Barbara County, CA | State of California orders Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch to be shut down and now Jackson is selling off his exotic animals, including elephants, tigers, orangutans, crocodile, and giraffes, for as little as one-quarter of their true value. A later report (04/26/06) states that Jackson has quietly employed staff to care for his animals, which remain in his Neverland zoo. (The Daily Record [Scotland]) |
| 03/19/06 | Gainesville, FL | Trucker transporting tiger to Putnam County Fair is bitten and suffers severed tendons in his forearm after sticking his arm in tiger's cage. (Associated Press) |
| 03/10/06 | Knoxville, TN | Mamie, 45-year-old African elephant at Knoxville Zoo, is euthanized after 11 months of declining health. For last 15 years Mamie suffered arthritis and foot problems. Born in Africa, Mamie came to Knoxville in 1979 from zoo in Buffalo, NY. (Associated Press) |
| 03/05/06 | Marborough, MA | 2 zoo workers suffer injuries while handling elephant for rides at RW Commerfords Kids Fun Fair and Traveling Zoo. Trainer receives chest injury when elephant pins him against wall and another employee placing children on elephant for rides receives broken arm. Both are transported to hospital by ambulance. (Metro West Daily News) |
| 03/03/06 | Chicago, IL | Zookeepers are trying to determine how wolf at Brookfield Zoo lost leg; they are unable to find severed limb after searching wolf area of zoo. Break is clean and wolf shows no bite marks that might indicate fight, and other wolves are unharmed. (United Press International) |
| 03/02/06 | Waco, TX | 25-year-old woman is injured by elephant when she climbs past barriers and enters elephant's exhibit at Cameron Park Zoo. (The Waco Tribune-Herald) |
| 03/01/06 | Warrenton, MO | Sandra and Kenneth Smith, owners of Wesa-A-Geh-Ya animal facility, settle with USDA after being charged with violations of Animal Welfare Act. Smiths agree to civil penalty of $13,000 and revoking of their AWA license. Although Smiths no longer have USDA exhibitor's license or AWA license, no law prevents them from keeping their animals under little supervision from any state or federal agency. (Warrenton Journal) |
| 02/25/06 | Rochester, NY | Team of 7 veterinarians surgically removes 248-pound dead male calf from elephant mother Genny C at Seneca Park Zoo more than 2 weeks after zoo determines calf has died while Genny C is in labor. See 02/07/06. (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle) |
| 02/23/06 | Richmond, VA | Maymont's only 2 black bears are euthanized after 1 bites Richmond toddler. Bears are euthanized to be tested for rabies. Memorial service for bears is attended by 500 mourners. City is still investigating actions of child's mother. (Associated Press) |
| 02/15/06 | Birmingham, AL | Worker at Birmingham Zoo is treated for scalp wounds after being attacked by 19-year-old lion. Attack occurs while zoo workers feed lions and move them from overnight holding area to outdoor exhibit area. (Associated Press) |
| 02/12/06 | Rochester, NY | Seneca Park Zoo reports death by heart attack of 21-year-old orangutan, Lowell. Lowell recently passes physical and shows no signs of illness before he dies suddenly. Necropsy is under way to determine actual cause of death. (WROC-TV, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle) |
| 02/09/06 | Temperance, MI | More than 4 dozen exotic and native animals perish overnight in barn fire at Nature's Creek Petting Zoo. Firefighters are unable to enter structure to rescue any animals. Cause of fire is under investigation, but appears to be accident. (The Blade, toledoblade.com) |
| 02/07/06 | Rochester, NY | Genny C, 28-year-old African elephant at Seneca Park Zoo, loses her baby due to complications during labor. Calf's foot is in wrong position, preventing calf from passing through Genny C's reproductive tract. (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle) |
| 02/05/06 | Moorpark, CA | Feznick, 4-year-old kangaroo, undergoes plastic surgery to repair his lip due to injuries from wolf bite received at Kern County farm for Hollywood animals last year. Feznick appears at corporate events and has been featured in movie for which he walked red carpet at opening. Plastic surgeon performs lip surgery free of charge and it is first time he has ever worked on animal. (The Sacramento Bee) |
| 02/03/06 | Columbus, OH | Zookeeper at Columbus Zoo loses her fingertip when Toby, adult male bonobo (also known as pygmy chimpanzee), bites her. Incident happens when zookeeper feeds Toby grape as reward for stepping on and off scale. (nbc4i.com) |
| 01/25/06 | Washington, DC | Toni, 40-year-old Asian elephant at National Zoo, is euthanized after suffering from debilitating arthritis in her front legs. (Associated Press, WTOPnews.com) |
| 01/23/06 | Washington, DC | Wandu, 13-year-old cheetah at National Zoo, is euthanized due to chronic kidney failure. (WTOPnews.com) |
| 01/16/06 | Orlando, FL | Ringling Bros. circus train blocks traffic for 2 hours after it is stopped for running red light on tracks. (wftv.com) |
| 01/00/06 | Colleyville, TX | Jake, 1-year-old kangaroo, escapes out open back gate at Colby's Xtreme Pets and travels half-mile down Texas highway 26. Startled passerby calls 911. (Star-Telegram) |
| 12/30/05 | McHenry County, IL | Sue, 1 of several Hawthorn Corporation Asian elephants scheduled to move to The Elephant Sanctuary pursuant to 2004 settlement with USDA for dozens of violations of Animal Welfare Act, dies prior to her move after adverse reaction to tranquilizer administered during blood tests on 12/19/05. Sue is 40 years old. Necropsy is being performed. (Chicago Tribune, WQAD News Channel 8) |
| 12/07/05 | Foley, AL | 2-year-old healthy Bengal tiger at Kids Country Zoo is euthanized and stuffed and mounted for display at zoo. Several individuals offered to take tiger rather than see it put down, including Tiger Haven in Tennessee, Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo, and facility in Texas, but zoo's owner said tiger was dangerous and opted to administer lethal injection of medication instead. Baldwin County District Attorney has launched investigation. (Mobile Register) |
| 11/16/05 | Greenwich, NY | Tahan, 7-year-old tiger at Ashville Game Farm and Exotic Zoo, escapes through top of her pen after pushing free section of chain fence that is nailed across top of cage. Tahan is found in yard of home, tranquilized, and returned to zoo. Tahan formerly performed with Florida-based circus. (The Post Star) |
| 11/08/05 | Miami, FL | Kutosha, 7-year-old chimpanzee at Miami Metrozoo, dies while en route to Busch Gardens in Tampa. Metrozoo has been accused of not adopting lifelong care policy and was also involved in another controversy involving Edith, chimpanzee at Metrozoo, until her ownership changed and she ended up in deplorable conditions in Texas. (NBC Channel 6, NBC6.net) |
| 10/06/05 | Eureka, CA | Bill, 59-year-old chimpanzee at Sequoia Park Zoo, escapes when vandals break into zoo after closing and cut hole in his cage. Bill’s primary keeper finds him at house 1-1/2 blocks away and walks him back to zoo. (Associated Press) |
| 09/10/05 | Royal, NE | Director of unaccredited Nebraska Zoo shoots and kills 3 chimpanzees when they escape from their pens. Chimpanzees escape when keeper leaves padlock unlocked after routine cleaning. Remaining chimpanzee is sent to private breeding operation near Kansas City. (Associated Press) |
| 09/03/05 | Coal Valley, IL | Lion cub named Amani dies at Niabi Zoo after pulley on 80-pound door to lion exhibit breaks, causing door to fall on him. After discovering that cub’s spinal cord is severed, zoo veterinarian decided to euthanize him. (Quad-City Times) |
| 08/31/05 | Las Vegas, NV | Gildah, Asian elephant on exhibit with Siegfried & Roy show, owned by Ringling Bros. Circus’s parent company Feld Entertainment, dies in her enclosure at Mirage Hotel-Casino. Gildah, who was housed alone, was 57. (Associated Press) |
| 08/31/05 | Springdale, OH | Dillion, Capuchin monkey, is found next day after escaping from Hendricks Bros. Circus. He leapt from his trainer’s shoulder after train whistle frightened him. This is Dillion’s second escape. (The Enquirer, Cincinnati.com) |
| 08/27/05 | San Antonio, TX | Jackson, baby monkey at Primarily Primates, is captured after he escapes his enclosure through hole in chain link fence. Walter Swett, facility owner, says Southwest Foundation has trained him in how to capture animals for Biomedical Research. (San Antonio News 4 WOAI) |
| 08/25/05 | Mt. Pleasant Township, PA | Woman suffers sprained wrist and possibly torn ligaments when Asian elephant on exhibit at Westmoreland Fair grabs her wrist with her trunk after woman reaches to pet 8,200-pound pachyderm. Jewel is 1 of 2 elephants owned by Cole Bros. Circus and leased to Wambold’s Circus Menagerie, Florida-based act that travels country with several exotic animals. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, News-Journal Corporation) |
| 08/18/05 | Altamont, KS | 17-year old girl is attacked and killed by Siberian tiger during photo-op for her high school senior portrait. 7-year-old tiger was being restrained by trainer Doug Billingsly, owner of Lost Creek Animal Sanctuary and Animal Entertainment Productions, where attack occurred. (Associated Press) |
| 08/17/05 | Bovey, MN | 1,400-pound male buffalo attacks and kills his caregiver at Zerebko Zoo-Tran Farm, exotic animal farm that raises and exhibits exotic animals. Woman was watching farm while owners were away on county fair tour. (Star Tribune) |
| 08/16/05 | Powell, OH | Ganesh, 7-year-old Asian elephant, is found dead in his stall at Columbus Zoo, most likely from viral strain of elephant herpes. (Associated Press) |
| 07/20/05 | Portsmouth, NH | Circus truck pulling trailer with 2 elephants breaks down on Interstate 95 during trip from Maine to their performance in Massachusetts. (TheWMURChannel.com) |
| 07/11/05 | Chicago, IL | Outside audit of Lincoln Park Zoo regarding death of African elephant Wankie notes that heater supposed to be in transport truck with Wankie did not fit in with her crate and there was no regular monitoring of air temperature during her transport. Audit also questions why Wankie was shipped from Lincoln Park Zoo three days after bout with colic. Wankie had to be euthanized after reaching Utah Zoo in May. (Associated Press) |
| 07/05/05 | Chicago, IL | 450-pound male silverback gorilla named Kwan bites zoo worker at Lincoln Park Zoo, causing woman puncture wounds, scratches, and sprained ankle. Zoo officials report that attack was due to human error. (Chicago Sun-Times) |
| 06/11/05 | Underwood, MN | Lion is killed by Otter Tail County sheriff after escaping from his cage at Archangel Wildlife Farm. (Associated Press) |
| 06/03/05 | Montville, NJ | Zebra and horse with traveling animal act as part of Green Meadows Cultural Events show jump fence of their corrals. Horse is found short distance away, but zebra roams for 2 miles before being located in residential area. (Associated Press) |
| 04/13/05 | Polk City, FL | Tova, 36-year-old female Asian elephant, kicks her elephant trainer at Ringling Bros. Circus’s elephant breeding facility. Man is airlifted to hospital and suffers fractured pelvis and soft tissue wound. Tova is disciplined with temporary isolation from her peers. Bruce Read, vice president of animal stewardship for center, says, “This is normal elephant behavior.” (The Ledger) |
| 04/09/05 | St. Joseph, MO | Young girl is bitten by 5-foot long python during educational presentation at “Experience Western” on Missouri Western State College campus. Display also includes alligator, chameleon, tarantula, and turtle. Girl is treated at hospital and released. (KQTV St. Joseph) |
| 03/24/05 | Oakland, CA | Camel with Circo Hermanos Caballero Circus escapes from his handlers when they transfer him from transit truck to coliseum. Camel is captured before he runs into freeway. (ABC 7 News) |
| 03/18/05 | Wichita, KS | Colobus monkey named Alley escapes from Sedgewick County Zoo after finding small hole in roof of netting surrounding her enclosure. She is secured by staff within 2 hours. (KAKE ABC Channel 10) |
| 03/17/05 | Campe Verde, AZ | 2 North American wolves attack their animal handler inside exhibit at Out of Africa Wildlife Park. Woman is airlifted to hospital after she suffers major injuries to her arms and legs, requiring surgery. (The Arizona Republic) |
| 03/17/05 | Orlando, FL | Man is arrested while traveling in Florida and faces charges for having tiger cub and cougar cub without required permits. Cubs are staying at McCarthy Wildlife Sanctuary in Florida and won’t be released unless man secures necessary permits. Man is co-owner of Arcangel Wildlife in Underwood, MN, which is under investigation after girl is hurt by tiger earlier this month. See 03/06/05 incident. (The Forum) |
| 03/06/05 | Underwood, MN | 16-year-old girl babysitting for co-owner of Arcangel Wildlife is injured when she pets 1 of 10 tigers on property. Tiger causes lacerations to her hand requiring about 12 stitches. Later that night, serious infection sets in and she needs 3 successive operations to her hand. (The Forum) |
| 03/03/05 | Caliente, CA | 4 chimpanzees escaped from their cages and attack man and woman visiting another chimpanzee at Animal Haven Ranch. Man is severely mauled, requiring extensive surgery, and woman loses finger. Animal Haven employee fatally shoots 2 chimpanzees to stop attack and other 2 chimps remain loose for several hours before being captured. (Associated Press, The Bakersfield Californian) |
| 02/26/05 | Wellington, FL | 500-pound Bengal tiger escapes from Panther Ridge Sanctuary after his caretaker neglects to latch his cage. 4-year old tiger is loose for 2 hours before being tranquilized and returned to his cage. His owner is cited for second-degree misdemeanor, escaped captive wildlife. (South Florida Sun-Sentinel) |
| 02/12/05 | Tampa Bay, FL | Tiger cub bites woman’s hand during exhibit at Tampa Bay Auto Mall. 2 adult tigers and 2 cubs are on display so people can have their photographs taken with tigers. Tigers are supplied by Bottomline Events, in conjunction with Zoo Dynamics, which provides animals to zoos and exhibits. Their caretaker is charged with unsafe handling of captive wildlife, resulting in injury to person. (St. Petersburg Times) |
| 01/31/05 | Fort Wayne, IN | Elephant fatally tramples her trainer while being loaded into truck. Trainer dies after being taken to hospital with critical chest injuries. Elephant, owned by Tarzan Zerbini Circus, is hired to perform in Fort Wayne Mizpah Shrine Temple’s annual circus at time of trampling. In similar incident, another employee of same circus is injured in 1995 when elephant knocks him to ground and stomps on his abdomen. (Associated Press) |
| 01/28/05 | Sacramento, CA | 15-month partnership of 2 lions that share exhibit at Sacramento Zoo ends when male, Aslan, attacks and kills lioness, Massina. Zoo director says, “This is really a reminder of how unpredictable their behavior can be at times.” She then says Aslan may be paired with another lioness. (Sacramento Bee) |
| 01/26/05 | Sioux Falls, SD | Siberian tiger at Great Plains Zoo attacks zoo visitor after he sticks his hand inside tiger case. Man is rushed to hospital where he gets stitches for finger. (Keloland News) |
| 01/20/05 | Baraboo, WI | Lion cub at Creature Features Pet Store bites 8-year-old girl visiting store. Baraboo police order pet store owner to quarantine cub for at least 10 days. (www.wiscnews.com) |
| 12/14/04 | Los Angeles, CA | Tara, African elephant at Los Angeles Zoo, dies unexpectedly. Born in East Africa in 1965, Tara was brought to Los Angeles Zoo in 1966. Necropsy is being performed to determine cause of death. (Associated Press) |
| 12/05/04 | Laredo, TX | Bengal tiger with Great Circus of China bites and mangles circus worker’s hand after worker got too close to tiger’s cage. Woman is rushed to hospital and is recovering. (WISTV-10) |
| 11/26/04 | Evansville, IN | Chimpanzee with Hadi Shrine Circus bites circus guest during pre-show picture event with guests and animals. Guest is treated at hospital for puncture wound and released. Circus officials report chimpanzee was unprovoked. (WFIETV-14) |
| 11/22/04 | Wichita, KS | 6-year-old male jaguar kills his 18-year-old female companion at Sedgwick County Zoo. After long introduction process, zookeepers believed jaguars were ready for cohabitation. Jaguars were placed on exhibit together with no access to their holding pens. 165-pound male killed his 130-pound female companion within hours. (The Wichita Eagle) |
| 11/20/04 | St. Augustine, FL | 350-pound Siberian tiger, being walked on leash, attacks and injures 14-year-old boy at St. John’s County Fair. Tiger’s handler is also attacked and injured when he attempts to pull tiger off boy. Incident is brought under control only after 2 police officers fire Taser stun guns at tiger. Handler is owner of Catty Shack Ranch where tiger resides. (Associated Press) |
| 11/15/04 | Bristow, OK | African serval escapes from cage at Wilderness Safari and is shot and killed by hunter. Hunter notifies operator of wild animal park of killing and says he skinned cat and put hide in his freezer. (Tulsa World) |
| 11/13/04 | Gentry, AR | Bengal tiger pulls flesh off right middle finger of woman visiting Wild Wilderness Drive Thru Safari after she reportedly places her hand in tiger’s cage. See 01/24/02 entry for another incident involving Wild Wilderness Drive Thru Safari. (NWAnews.com) |
| 11/12/04 | Palm Springs, CA | Chimpanzee runs through residential neighborhood after escaping from Casa de Cheeta sanctuary for rehabilitation of show business primates. 16-year-old chimpanzee knocks on residence doors and windows after owner of sanctuary forgets to latch chimpanzee’s security door. 2nd security door is installed to prevent any further incidents. (The Desert Sun) |
| 11/10/04 | Houston, TX | Pregnant baboon being loaded onto aircraft at Bush Intercontinental Airport escapes after door to her cage opens. She is eventually caught after clambering up into rafters below elevated terminal concourse. Baboon is part of troupe of primates heading to San Francisco area zoo. (Associated Press, Houston Chronicle) |
| 11/06/04 | Sarasota, FL | 18-year-old circus worker is bitten by bear while trying to break up aggressive behavior among several bears at Big Cat Habitat. He is flown to Bayfront Medical Center where he is listed in fair condition. (The Tampa Tribune) |
| 11/04/04 | Salisbury, MD | Otter at Salisbury Zoo bites 16-year-old boy after he reportedly puts his hand in otter cage. This incident comes 5 days after jaguar tears off part of man’s finger. See 10/30/04 entry. (Associated Press) |
| 11/01/04 | Fordland, MO | Former circus elephant pushes through fence to escape from farm and is found following day. 40-year-old, 5-ton female Asian elephant has several cuts when found, which her caretaker says are likely from making her way through fence. (Associated Press, Springfield.news-leader.com) |
| 10/31/04 | Wills Point, TX | Barbary ape is shot at Cash Wiley’s Exotic Animal Ranch by unknown shooter. Incident is being investigated by Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Department. Monkey, named Rascal, is found floating in pond day after Halloween. Rascal was dominant male in group of 7 primates. (www.wfaa.com, The Dallas Morning News) |
| 10/30/04 | Salisbury, MD | Jaguar at Salisbury Zoo tears off part of man’s finger after zoo visitor sticks his hand in jaguar’s cage. Incident comes 5 days before otter bites a 16-year-old boy. See 11/04/04 entry. (WBOC-TV Channel 16, www.wboc.com) |
| 10/19/04 | Fort Wayne, IN | 5 wildebeests escape from Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. Rather than moving into barn where they usually spend winter, 5 of zoo’s 7 wildebeests run toward opposite end of exhibit and break through gate in 10-foot-high fence. 2 wildebeests suffer severe breaks to their front legs and are euthanized. Remaining 3 leap 4-foot-wall and elude zoo and city staff for 2-1/2 hours while they run through nearby neighborhoods. Animals are finally tranquilized and returned to zoo. (FortWayne.com) |
| 10/16/04 | Chicago, IL | Tatima, 35-year-old African elephant at Lincoln Park Zoo, is found dead in her enclosure. Zoo officials believe she died of tuberculosis, which comes as surprise to zookeepers who were unaware that tuberculosis could be problem. Handlers are keeping close eye over 2 remaining elephants and other animals that reside in close proximity to elephant habitat. Tatima arrived in 2003 from wild animal park in San Diego. (CBS 2 Chicago) |
| 09/11/04 | Peoria, IL | Worker at Wildlife Prairie State Park is in critical condition after black bear mauls him. 5-year-old bear is out of his den when worker enters bear’s pen to feed him. Officials think gate to bear’s den had been left unlocked. Worker suffers severe leg injuries and nerve damage. (Associated Press) |
| 09/09/04 | Chicago, IL | Master keeper at Lincoln Park Zoo is in serious condition with multiple bite wounds and lacerations after being attacked by lions in outdoor yard. Zoo officials find 3 agitated lions standing near injured experienced trainer, who is lying in moat inside lion exhibit. Keeper is able to climb out of moat on ladder under her own power. Zoo is evacuated for 15 minutes and lions are coaxed into secure area. (Chicago Sun-Times) |
| 09/08/04 | Trenton, ME | Employee of Acadia Zoological Park is seriously injured by 13-year-old leopard. Details of incident are not released. Man is taken to nearby hospital with injuries to his face and arm. Zoo declines to say whether leopard was quarantined or destroyed. (Associated Press) |
| 07/31/04 | Queens, NY | White tiger, Apollo, escapes from Cole Bros. Circus and wanders through park, across Jackie Robinson Parkway, and through nearby residential streets. Incident causes multi-car accident, and 4 adults and 1 child suffer minor injuries. 450-pound tiger is eventually coaxed back into his cage. (Associated Press) |
| 07/14/04 | Fresno, CA | Lion with Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus is found dead after crossing Mojave Desert in circus train, en route from Arizona to Fresno, CA. Circus is awaiting results of necropsy. Show opens as scheduled in Fresno. (KFSN-TV, Channel 30) |
| 07/06/04 | St. Charles, MN | Escaped monkey bites 2 people at Winona County fairgrounds. 5 monkeys from Staples Safari Zoo and Animal Rescue escape when 2 boys pry open locked trailer door. 4 monkeys are quickly captured, but 5th flees, and bites when cornered. People who catch monkey and are bitten receive rabies shots while monkey is placed in quarantine. (Associated Press) |
| 07/03/04 | Columbus, OH | 7 gorillas escape their enclosure at Columbus Zoo after zoo’s daily closing. Door left open allowed gorillas to wander free in ape house for some hours. Gorillas are coaxed back into their habitat about 3 hours after escape. (Associated Press, News Channel 5) |
| 06/12/04 | Wrightstown, PA | Australian wallaby, Melbourne, escapes from private petting zoo and wanders surrounding area for more than 2 weeks. According to zoo’s owner, Melbourne is “not friendly.” Melbourne is eventually trapped and returned to zoo. (CBS 3: KYW-TV, Philadelphia Daily News) |
| 06/01/04 | Vallejo, CA | Elephant trainer at Six Flags Marine World is gored by Misha, 23-year-old 7,000-pound African elephant. While Misha is grazing she turns suddenly and knocks man to ground, causing wound that penetrates his abdomen “all the way through,” according to park spokesman. Trainer is taken to nearby hospital where he undergoes surgery, and is expected to recover. Misha has previously shown aggressive behavior toward trainers. (Associated Press, SF Gate) |
| 05/26/04 | Rochester, NY | 50-pound Anubis baboon at Seneca Park Zoo escapes from his enclosure and is found by security guard in fenced area nearby. It takes more than 2 hours to return baboon to his cage. Veterinarian for zoo tries to anesthetize animal with tranquilizer dart but baboon climbs into tree instead of falling asleep. Baboon eventually goes back into exhibit area. Opening of zoo is delayed by 10 minutes. (Democrat and Chronicle) |
| 05/23/04 | Brutus, NY | Woman loses part of her arm when she is mauled while attempting to pet caged bear in private zoo. She is driven to hospital where her arm is amputated just below elbow. (The Post-Standard) |
| 05/11/04 | Albuquerque, NM | Man visiting Rio Grande Zoo sticks his finger into jaguar’s cage, and cat bites off finger. Man flees scene untreated. (Associated Press) |
| 05/11/04 | Dayton, OH | 2 Norwegian Fjord horses traveling with Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus die after they are hit by train while being unloaded from train in which they traveled. Horses are struck when freight train unexpectedly goes through area. 1 horse dies instantly, other is euthanized at scene. (Dayton Daily News) |
| 05/01/04 | Silver Springs, FL | Adult brown bear at Silver Springs’ World of Bears bites bearkeeper’s arm near shoulder, according to press statement. Keeper is hospitalized for treatment. Bear will be quarantined for 10 days for observation. (WESH.com, Newschannel 2) |
| 04/25/04 | Spokane, WA | At least 10 cats and 1 bobcat are killed when travel trailer parked inside Spokane Veterans Arena for El Katif Shrine Circus catches fire. Owners are thought to be subcontractors who provide animals to circus. As firefighters try to control heavy smoke coming from arena, another bobcat runs through legs of firefighter to escape smoke. Security worker and circus employee are treated for smoke inhalation. (Spokesman Review) |
| 03/18/04 | Dallas, TX | Jabari, 13-year-old western lowland gorilla, escapes from his 2-acre enclosure at Dallas Zoo and attacks several people before charging at police officers, who fire 3 shots, killing Jabari. Gorilla bites 26-year-old mother and her 3-year-old son several times and throws them against wall. 2 others are also injured during gorilla’s 40-minute rampage. Police evacuate about 300 people from zoo compound. (The Dallas Morning News, Associated Press, Star-Telegram Dallas Bureau) |
| 02/24/04 | North Vancouver, BC, Canada | 2 grizzly bears escape from Grouse Mountain Refuge for Endangered Wildlife when they apparently break through roof of their cabin. Orphaned 3-year-olds Grinder and Coola are rounded up that evening after wandering outside their enclosure where they have been hibernating. (The Vancouver Sun) |
| 02/07/04 (reported) |
Dillsboro, IN | 10 wolves escape from Red Wolf Sanctuary and Raptor Rehabilitation Center, prompting state officials to order it to closed to public until improvements are made. Wolves break free from their 3-acre pen. 2 die, while rest are recaptured. (The Indianapolis Star, Associated Press) |
| 02/05/04 | St. Louis, MO | 200-lb. bear attacks St. Louis Zoo employee during routine transfer from indoor pen to outdoor space. 6-year-old Rimba, male Malayan sun bear captured as baby, bites zookeeper’s arms and legs. Keeper shoves Rimba away and makes his way out of pen. Keeper is treated for cuts and puncture wounds, is expected to recover. (Associated Press, St. Louis Post-Dispatch) |
| 02/02/04 | San Diego, CA | Poisonous snake bites zookeeper’s hand while handler is cleaning reptile house. Reptile handler is taken to nearby hospital. Brazilian lancehead pit viper apparently did not release any venom. (Monterey County Herald) |
| 01/19/04 | Los Angeles, CA | Gracie, 17-year-old, 80-lb. chimpanzee, escapes her enclosure at Los Angeles Zoo and roams free for 45 minutes, forcing closure of zoo and evacuation of 9,000 visitors. It is Gracie’s 4th escape since chimpanzee habitat opened in 1998. Zookeepers corner Gracie and fire tranquilizer dart, but only graze her. She returns to exhibit on her own short time later. Gracie was involved in previous incident 08/02/98. (The Daily News of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Denver’s ABC 7 News) |
| 01/03/04 | Battle Creek, MI | 3 Mexican gray wolves escape from their exhibit at Binder Park Zoo by slipping through small hole they create in chain-link fence around exhibit. 2 wolves are quickly recaptured but 3rd, named Apache, scales zoo’s 9-foot-high perimeter fence. Apache is found dead in March, apparently hit and killed by train. (Detroit Free Press, Associated Press) |
| 12/26/03 | Toronto, ONT, Canada | Visitors to Toronto Zoo find themselves face to face with 330-lb. Siberian tiger when gates are left open and female tiger escapes. Tiger roams between high fence of enclosure and lower fence meant to keep visitors at distance. Zoo workers coax her back into enclosure while others stand by with tranquilizer guns. (Canadian Press) |
| 12/24/03 (reported) |
Rockwell, NC | Samson, leopard or jaguar at Charlotte Metro Zoo, while being used in television commercial for Carolina Panthers bites zoo’s owner. In separate incident, cobra used for Carolina Cobras football team commercial gets loose during filming. (Salisbury Post) |
| 12/11/03 | Natural Bridge, VA | 2 6-year-old Asiatic bears escape from pen at Natural Bridge Zoo when worker neglects to lock gate properly. Male bear, Festus, breaks into neighboring house and is shot by zoo’s owner and sheriff’s deputy several times at close range. Female, Maggie, is found under porch outside, where she swipes at homeowner. She is shot by zoo’s owner and disappears into woods, only to be shot and killed 2 days later by hunter. USDA authorities are investigating zoo. (Washington Post) |
| 11/12/03 | Brookfield, IL | Woman jumps fence at Brookfield Zoo to reach into gray wolf’s cage. 11-year-old, 100-lb. wolf is subsequently shot in chest by zoo police officer when wolf refuses to let go of woman’s arm as she tries to pet him. Woman is treated at nearby emergency room for bite wounds to forearm. (Chicago Tribune) |
| 11/11/03 | Palm Desert, CA | Sabi, 2-year-old, 90-lb. female cheetah at Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, is on her daily walk through park when she pounces and bites 58-year-old woman who holds 2-year-old granddaughter on lap. Woman is treated for bite wounds to thigh and calf, baby is checked for possible concussion. Animal trainer walking Sabi yanks her back by leash, is bitten and scratched. Sabi is kept in isolation for 10 days after incident. (The Press-Enterprise, Associated Press, The Desert Sun) |
| 10/06/03 | Golden Valley, AZ | Tigger, 6-year-old, 500-lb. Bengal tiger at Keepers of the Wild animal sanctuary, attacks 21-year-old employee who goes to pet him while cleaning his pool. Tigger bites her on leg and drags her across ground. Another employee uses steel rack to get Tigger off her. 3 of Tigger’s canine teeth go completely through her leg and she spends 5 days in hospital. (KLAS-TV Channel 8 (CBS) Las Vegas, Las Vegas Sun) |
| 10/03/03 | Las Vegas, NV | During magic show at Mirage hotel-casino in Las Vegas, Roy Horn of Siegfried & Roy is mauled by Montecore, 7-year-old, 600-lb. white tiger. When Montecore latches onto Horn’s arm, Horn taps Montecore on head with microphone. Audience of 1,500 watches Montecore drag Horn offstage by neck. Attack opens artery in Horn’s neck. Show workers set off fire extinguishers backstage to distract tiger. Horn remains in critical but stable condition at University Medical Center in Las Vegas. (Associated Press) |
| 09/30/03 | Miami, FL | Thelma, 20-year-old, 150-lb. orangutan, bites veterinarian’s hand at Metrozoo. Thelma, on loan from Oakland Zoo, is being treated for small foot injury through bars of her holding area when she grabs woman’s arm, pulls it through bars and bites down, crushing bones. Veterinarian is treated at Baptist Hospital. (KIRO-TV Channel 7 (CBS) Seattle, Associated Press) |
| 09/28/03 | Boston, MA | Little Joe, 5-foot-tall, 300-lb. gorilla, escapes from his cage at Franklin Park Zoo by scaling 10-foot-wide, 12-foot-deep moat, getting past electric wire, and leaving zoo grounds just before closing. During escape, Little Joe attacks 18-year-old woman, throwing her several feet in air, stepping on her, dragging her, and biting her on back. Woman was holding 2-year-old girl who was snatched out of woman’s arms and slammed to ground. Child, whose front teeth were pushed back, is hospitalized after doctors stitch up her head. Little Joe is found 2 hours later, sitting at bus stop, and is recaptured using tranquilizer darts as crowd of over 100 watch. This is Little Joe’s second escape from zoo this year. (The Boston Globe, KIRO-TV Channel 7 (CBS) Seattle, Boston Herald, Associated Press) |
| 08/27/03 | Rochester, NY | Lowell, 300-lb., 19-year-old orangutan, escapes confines of his cage at Seneca Park Zoo and embraces volunteer cleaning his area. Volunteer tries to slip out, but Lowell picks up volunteer and carries him down passageway before finally climbing back into his cage and pushing volunteer out. Facility is locked down, all visitors are evacuated, and ambulance called. Zoo reopens shortly after incident. (Democrat and Chronicle, Associated Press) |
| 08/27/03 | Rainier, WA | Black bear escapes from exotic animal collection. It takes deputies over hour to get him back to his cage. Neighbors say this is 4th time bear has escaped from man who has many other exotic animals, including Bengal tiger, cougar, and alligator. (KIRO-TV Channel 7 (CBS) Seattle) |
| 08/24/03 (reported) |
Omaha, NB | Fu Manchu, orangutan at Henry Doorly Zoo, picks lock of his cage each night and escapes. Workers eventually find pick in Fu Manchu’s cage; pick is piece of wire he hid between his lips and gums. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) |
| 08/18/03 | Buena Park, CA | Replica Old West stagecoach at Knott’s Berry Farm, driven by 2 employees and pulled by 4 horses, fails to stop at end of its 6-minute ride that carries 11 passengers. Momentum of coach, which can weigh up to 4,000-lbs. when fully loaded, prevents horses from stopping after braking system reportedly breaks. Horses try to turn but can’t, and 1st horse on left dies after slamming into chain-link fence with wooded slats. 4 passengers are treated for minor injuries as well as employee sitting shotgun who is treated for shoulder injury. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) |
| 08/14/03 | St. Louis, MO | Hallah, female cheetah at St. Louis Zoo, uses vines to climb halfway up 10-foot moat wall and leap over it to freedom. After only 20-minutes, Hallah is herded back into her enclosure without incident. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) |
| 08/05/03 | Milwaukee, WI | During Siberian tiger act at UniverSoul Circus, tigers are not willing to obey commands from trainer, who is only person in cage with them. Tigers do perform some tricks, along with some errant behavior and several threatening swipes at trainer. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) |
| 07/27/03 | Fort Wayne, IN | Monkey bites hand of female employee of Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo. Woman is feeding 2 spectacled langures at Indonesian Rainforest exhibit when she is bitten. Paramedics are called and woman is treated at Parkview Hospital and released. (Fort Wayne News-Sentinel) |
| 07/20/03 (reported) |
Indianapolis, IN | Trainer is recovering from surgery on left leg after being injured by Ivory, African elephant at Indianapolis Zoo. According to zoo officials, Ivory suffered from separation anxiety during training and reacted to call from her 2,000-lb. calf. (Indianapolis Star) |
| 07/03/03 | La Crosse, WI | During performance at Riverfest, tiger claws his trainer during 1st show. Trainer turns for split-second and tiger claws his leg. (WKBT-TV, Channel 8 (CBS) La Crosse) |
| 06/30/03 | Calhan, CO | 35-year-old man is severely mauled by Duke and Merlin, 2 500-lb. tigers, while inside their cage for daily cleaning at Big Cats of Serenity Springs wildlife refuge in El Paso County. Refuge’s owner rushes in and breaks 2 shovels fighting off tigers. Man suffers mangled calf and scalp injuries. Both tigers are killed. (KMGH-TV Channel 7 (ABC) Denver, The Denver Post) |
| 06/30/03 | San Diego, CA | 2-year-old boy is injured at Petting Kraal in San Diego Wild Animal Park. Boy falls, is taken to first aid station, and then by helicopter to Children’s Hospital. Petting Kraal workers are unsure if boy’s injuries are caused by animal. (KNSD-TV Channel 7/39 (NBC) San Diego) |
| 06/23/03 | Crossett, AR | Firefighter at Crossett Zoo is bitten on right hand by Tigger the tiger. Firefighter is inside fence which separates Tigger’s cage from rest of zoo when Tigger bites and clamps down for more than 30 seconds. Surgery repairs deep laceration and severed tendon of 1 finger. Tip of thumb is bitten off but firefighter has “excellent chance” to regain full use of finger. (Ashley County Ledger) |
| 06/11/03 | Brownsville, TX | 2 baby zebras jump fence of traveling circus and make their way down southbound Expressway 83. Trucks with ropes corral zebras. Animal Control also sets up fences. Zebras are finally herded into back of truck. 1 police officer and 1 onlooker receive scratches when kicked by zebras. Zebras are treated for wounds. (KRGV-TV Channel 5 (ABC) Weslaco) |
| 06/03/03 | Red Wing, MN | Siberian tiger is put to sleep for attacking 3 people. (WCCO-TV Channel 4 (CBS), Minneapolis) |
| 06/01/03 | Los Angeles, CA | Goral goat antelope discovers hole in fence of its exhibit at Los Angeles Zoo and escapes before zoo opens. (Los Angeles Times) |
| 05/07/03 | Orlando, FL | 7-foot alligator at Gatorland bites handler on face. Handler is preparing for park’s Gator Wrestling Show, which takes place in 800-seat arena, when alligator bites him. Handler is in fair condition with gash to face and will probably need stitches. Handler has 4 years’ experience handling large reptiles at park. (Orlando Sentinel Tribune) |
| 05/00/03 through 07/00/03 |
St. Louis, MO | Gentoo penguins regularly escape by launching themselves over Plexiglas barrier separating their man-made lagoon from public walkway at St. Louis Zoo. Yellow-footed penguins strike several visitors. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) |
| 04/30/03 | Columbus, OH | Alligator bites animal handler at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus while being moved from public viewing pit outside arena. Handler suffers 6 punctures to right hand. Audience at performance is unaware of occurrence. (Columbus Dispatch) |
| 04/28/03 | Denver, CO | Polar bear escapes from holding area at Denver Zoo, forcing temporary lockdown. Veterinarians shoot bear with tranquilizer dart and return it to enclosure. (WUSA-TV Channel 9 (NBC) Washington) |
| 04/25/03 | San Antonio, TX | Hanna, 350-lb. lioness at Wild Animal Orphanage, escapes her cage and roams neighborhood. Police on ground and in helicopter find Hanna. Sanctuary director shoots Hanna with tranquilizer dart, frightening lioness who charges and knocks director down. Director is treated for fractured pelvis bone and bruised rib. 90 minutes later Hanna is again found and another dart fired. Hanna charges group and 4 police fire with handguns and shotguns, killing Hanna. (San Antonio Express-News) |
| 04/07/03 | San Antonio, TX | Buffalo at petting zoo behind Rachel’s Country Corner gores and tramples 29-year-old caretaker to death. USDA officials are looking into possible violations of Animal Welfare Act. (The Post and Courier) |
| 04/02/03 | Adair, OK | Tiger attacks volunteer handler at Safari Joe’s Rock Creek Exotic Animal Park who leans against cage, and rips off her left arm. Woman dies from loss of blood. Tiger belongs to International Wildlife Center of Texas, which leases building in park. (Associated Press) |
| 03/31/03 | Hennepin, IL | Owner of Second Nature Exotic Cats Sanctuary is killed by tiger when he lets 2 tigers out of building into penned enclosure for exercise. Police shoot both tigers to rescue wounded and bleeding man, only to discover he is dead. On his rural property man also had 1 cougar, 1 lion, and another tiger. (Peoria Journal Star) |
| 03/23/03 | Sacramento, CA | Castro, 325-pound Sumatran tiger at Sacramento Zoo, attacks 30-year-old zookeeper at feeding time. Zookeeper is hospitalized in fair condition with puncture wounds on his neck, right shoulder, and left leg. (Sacramento Bee) |
| 03/21/03 | Lincoln, NE | Fort Worth, 7-year-old Shetland pony with Shrine Circus, bolts from auditorium back door during performance. Pony runs against traffic down middle of street before pedestrians catch him. (Associated Press, The New York Times) |
| 03/18/03 (reported) |
20th Century Fox television set | Trained mountain lion bites actress Elisha Cuthbert on set of television series 24. Trainer instructs Cuthbert to befriend animal, but lion sinks his teeth into Cuthbert’s hand. Cuthbert is treated for puncture wounds and receives tetanus shot. (Ananova News Search, The Sun) |
| 03/13/03 | Tampa, FL | Shark at Florida Aquarium bites woman who puts her hand into shark tank. Less than 2 feet long, shark was part of petting tank exhibit, but has since been removed from petting tank. (Ananova News Search, St. Petersburg Times) |
| 03/11/03 | North Charleston, SC | While being moved from Roark’s Reptile Safari to spend rest of year at South Carolina Aquarium, 22-foot-long, 250-lb. female reticulated python breaks free of her container and slithers into transport van’s undercarriage, then makes break for sewer grate. Python is recaptured by aquarium curator and 4 fellow staffers. (The Post and Courier) |
| 03/10/03 | Barlow, KY | Truck carrying 3 elephants gets in accident and goes into ditch. Elephants are unloaded and let wander around side of highway until police and tow truck arrived to pull out elephants’ truck. Elephants are reloaded and continue on their way to Florida. (MSNBC, WDIV-TV Channel 4 (NBC) Detroit, WCMH-TV Channel 4 (NBC) Columbus, KVBC-TV Channel 3 (NBC) Las Vegas, WWBT-TV Channel 12 (NBC) Richmond) |
| 03/08/03 | San Diego, CA | Sea lion escapes his enclosure at Sea World in Mission Beach by climbing over wall. He shimmies up several flights of stairs, crosses boardwalk, and ends up on front doorstep of apartment complex. Residents call Sea World and handlers capture sea lion with net. (The Columbus Dispatch) |
| 02/03/03 | Jacksonville, FL | Chad, 450-lb. Bengal tiger with UniverSoul Circus, squeezes through opening between his cage and holding cage and escapes. Climbing over car and over fence, Chad startles police officer and drive-in worker at nearby Wendy’s before circus workers coax him back inside cage. 100s of people witness Chad’s escape. (Associated Press, The Florida Times-Union, WJXT-TV Channel 4 (IND) Jacksonville) |
| 01/04/03 | Columbus, OH | Suphan cobra bites zookeeper at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium while being fed dead rat. Keeper, who has 20 years of experience handling reptiles, is in stable condition at local hospital. (The Columbus Dispatch) |
| 12/30/02 | Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX | Elephant escapes exhibit at shopping mall after he hears police sirens. (KUNV-TV Channel 23 (UNI) Las Vegas) |
| 12/15/02 | Miami, FL | 20-year-old female elephant at Metrozoo knocks down 31-year-old zookeeper and kicks him into pile of rocks. Knocked unconscious, zookeeper suffers laceration to head and injury to back and is listed in critical condition at hospital. Crowd of visitors who witness attack include children. (Associated Press) |
| 12/07/02 | Los Angeles, CA | Baby red-flanked duiker (African antelope) jumps its 4-foot nursery fence after being startled by musical group at Los Angeles Zoo. Animal is recaptured 2 days later on nearby golf course. (Los Angeles Times) |
| 12/00/02 | Rochester, NY | Daisy, 10-year-old, 15-foot, 105-lb. Burmese python, frees herself from her cage at Seneca Park Zoo during Girl Scout sleepover in zoo’s Discovery Center and slithers around area. (Democrat and Chronicle) |
| 11/18/02 | Pittsburgh, PA | 18-year-old female African elephant knocks handler to ground with her head and crushes him to death. Incident occurs at Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium during routine morning walk of elephant and her 3-year-old baby on zoo’s African Savannah trail before zoo opens. (Associated Press) |
| 10/17/02 | Southport, FL | Samson, 500-lb. African lion at Knoll’s 77 Zoological Park, attacks zookeeper who enters cage for photo. Lion grabs man, throws him in corner, and chews before releasing man. Zookeeper, who has hole ripped in throat, right eye pulled out of its socket, severed tendons in neck and chest, torn skin, bites down to bone, is listed in critical condition for 11 days. He loses 80% of eyesight and needs operation to restore vision. He has trained large animals since age 12 when he began training bears in circus in Europe. (Associated Press) |
| 09/24/02 | Gainesville, FL | Director of Kanapaha Botanical Gardens is working in 1 of parks’ water lily gardens when 11-foot alligator, MoJo, bites off his right arm just below elbow. MoJo is harpooned, shot, and his stomach slit open to retrieve arm, but surgeons are unable to reattach arm. Man is listed in fair condition. (Associated Press, York News Times) |
| 09/20/02 | Scotts Valley, CA | 150-lb. tiger, Sima, lunges at 6-year-old boy at school assembly, grabbing boy’s head in her jaws. Zoo to You brought 1-year-old declawed tiger to school to reward children selling magazine subscriptions. Boy needs 55 stitches to close wounds. (Associated Press, zootoyou.com) |
| 09/05/02 | Escondido, CA | 200-lb. west Caucasian tur, rare and endangered goat, gores zookeeper at San Diego Wild Animal Park, while woman cleans tur’s pen. Puncture wound under her ribs requires surgery. (Associated Press) |
| 08/04/02 | Davenport, IA | Woman at Mississippi Valley Fair is bitten, scratched, and hit on head by monkey who is posing for photographs. Monkey goes “a little berserk.” Woman is tested for herpes, HIV, hepatitis, and rabies (results still pending) and files lawsuit against monkey’s owner and Mississippi Valley Fair. (Associated Press) |
| 08/04/02 | Racine, MN | While giving hug and putting monkey, JoJo, back in cage, volunteer at B.E.A.R.C.A.T. Hollow animal park is grabbed by hair. When volunteer tries to free herself, JoJo bites her on little finger of left hand. Volunteer must receive series of rabies shots. (Star Tribune, Duluth News-Tribune) |
| 08/00/02 | San Jose, CA | Frightened zebra outside Ringling Bros. Circus dashes down public street, endangering himself and bystanders. Fortunately, no one is injured during animal’s rampage. 2 years ago, 2 zebras escaped from same circus on same street. (In Defense of Animals) |
| 06/19/02 | Menomonie, WI | Tory and Mary, 2 elephants performing with Shrine Circus, bolt out of circus tent during show, scattering crowds. Mary hikes 2 miles through town and is recaptured at University of Wisconsin-Stout campus when trucks block her route. 1 child is injured, and elephants damage door at park and cause $600 in damage to city truck. Shriners had contracted with George Carden Circus for event. (Associated Press) |
| 05/12/02 | Tampa, FL | 350-lb. African lion rips arm off 21-year-old Busch Gardens zookeeper while she is giving her family private tour. Injury is not first for Busch, which houses hippos, hyenas, baboons, and crocodiles. In 1989, animal keeper is crushed to death by 2-ton elephant. In 1993, rattlesnake bites zookeeper, who survives. And in 1999, woman claims Clydesdale horse bit off tip of her finger. (Tampa Tribune) |
| 05/05/02 | Sacramento, CA | Tiger refuses to return to cage following performance of Circus Gatti during Ben Ali Shrine Circus, prompting evacuation of spectators from arena. Both Sacramento police and SWAT teams are called and dispatched to scene. Tiger eventually tranquilized and returned to cage. (Sacramento City Police Report) |
| 05/10/02 | Sacramento, CA | Tiger refuses to return to cage following performance of Circus Gatti prompting evacuation of spectators from arena. Both Sacramento police and SWAT teams are called and dispatched to scene. Tiger eventually tranquilized and returned to cage. (Police report) |
| 04/02/02 | Honolulu, HI | Part-time zookeeper trainee woman is cleaning sleeping area of 2 Siamang gibbons at Honolulu Zoo when 34-year old female attacks. Partition separating keeper from gibbons is not properly locked. Keeper required 45 stitches to close wounds on her legs. (Star Tribune, Duluth News-Tribune) |
| 03/13/02 | Easley, SC | Tonya, elephant belonging to Robert Childress and used in various circuses, escapes control of her handlers while she is loaded into trailer, flees into nearby woods, and is recaptured with assistance of police. This is 4th time that Tonya has run amok (see 06/21/00, 02/16/98, and 08/28/97). (Associated Press) |
| 02/15/02 | Pahrump, NV | Animal exhibitor Karl Mitchell shoots and kills 1 of his tigers after animal becomes frightened and escapes his control while being moved to new residence. (Associated Press) |
| 02/03/02 | Loxahatchee, FL | Woman is hospitalized in critical condition with skull fracture after she is attacked and bitten by 750-lb. declawed tiger. Woman had been painting in preparation for photo shoot at Steve Sipek’s private animal compound. (Associated Press) |
| 02/02/02 | Miami, FL | While being led to holding pen at Miami Metrozoo, 1,400-lb. camel knocks handler to ground and rolls and stomps on him. Camel was 1 of 3 giving children rides at zoos throughout Miami-Dade County. Handler is airlifted to hospital and later released. (Ananova News Search, Miami Herald) |
| 01/24/02 | Gentry, AR | 2 animal handlers at Wild Wilderness Drive Thru Safari are attacked while transferring cougars between cages. 1 handler receives multiple bites on arm and leg, and other is bitten in face. (Associated Press) |
| 01/16/02 | Pickering, ONT, Canada | 500-lb. tiger used for photo ops with small children and strippers snaps her tether, escapes, and wanders streets near Toronto, alarming residents. Helicopter and more than half dozen police cruisers are dispatched to locate and recapture tiger. (Associated Press) |
| 12/09/01 | Davie, FL | 7-year-old boy is taken to hospital for stitches after being attacked and bitten “bone-deep” on neck by 40-pound declawed African serval at PepsiCo International picnic. Child is walking by when unattended serval leaps on him and knocks him to ground. Pangaea Productions hired to bring serval and other animals to event as entertainment. (Associated Press) |
| 12/02/01 | Bloomington, IL | 32-year old visitor at Miller Park Zoo climbs 4-foot fence to pet snow leopard. Leopard swipes at visitor and punctures skin of left hand. Zoo staff tracks trail of blood to victim who declines to go to hospital. (The Pantagraph) |
| 12/00/01 | Racine, MN | Young bear escapes from B.E.A.R.C.A.T. Hollow animal park. (Duluth News-Tribune) |
| 10/27/01 | Charlotte, NC | 2 elephants leased by Hawthorn Corporation to Circus Vazquez rampage through church. 2 church members are nearly trampled, and children are quickly ushered to safety. Elephants crash into church through glass window, break and buckle walls and door frames, and knock car 15 feet, causing estimated $75,000 in damages. Elephants suffer cuts and bruises. 1 elephant had rampaged twice before (see 07/10/95 and 05/19/95) (Charlotte Observer, Associated Press) |
| 10/15/01 | Dallas, TX | 2 rhinos battle at Brownsville Zoo, resulting in death of 1 and serious injury to maintenance worker. Female rhinoceros and 2 male rhinos are mistakenly put together in exhibit meant to have 2 females and 1 male. (Dallas Morning News) |
| 08/23/01 | Knoxville, TN | 40-year-old elephant, Mamie, spooked by something she sees, breaks free from her handlers and injures 2 elephant handlers. She breaks through metal gate and charges onto wood patio. Patio not designed to hold her weight begins to break, upsetting her more. Injured employees suffer head gashes and 1 broken rib. (Knoxville News-Sentinel) |
| 07/31/01 | Center Hill, FL | 500-lb. male Siberian tiger at Savage Kingdom breaks into adjoining cage and fatally mauls workman who is there to make repairs. Tiger is shot by park’s operator. (Associated Press) |
| 07/22/01 | Racine, WI | Tiger at B.E.A.R.C.A.T. Hollow pushes his way out of pen and grabs 7-year-old girl, inflicting 2 puncture wounds. Park was closed to public but girl and her mother were allowed in to take fund-raising pictures. (Associated Press) |
| 06/10/01 | Austin, TX | Monkeys escape their cages at Austin Zoo and attack woman visitor, biting and scratching her. Woman receives stitches and tetanus shot. (Yahoo.com) |
| 06/10/01 | Denver, CO | Frightened by falling water drum, elephant runs out of bathing area at Denver Zoo and knocks over baby stroller before being recaptured. Baby is treated at local hospital and released. (Associated Press) |
| 06/09/01 | Los Angeles, CA | Komodo dragon bites and crushes big toe of Phil Bronstein, executive editor of San Francisco Chronicle, while Bronstein is inside animal’s cage on behind-the-scenes tour of Los Angeles Zoo. Bronstein is hospitalized for emergency surgery to reattach severed tendons. (Reuters) |
| 06/07/01 | Los Angeles, CA | Crested capuchin monkey squeezes through small opening in its cage and wanders public area of Los Angeles Zoo for about 1 hour. All patrons are removed from area until monkey is recaptured. (Los Angeles Times) |
| 04/21/01 | Hillboro, MO | 3 chimpanzees wander out from behind unlocked fence at ChimParty, facility that rents primates for parties and commercials. 1 chimp is shot by neighbor who feels threatened by animals; animal later euthanized. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) |
| 04/10/01 | Los Angeles, CA | Kookaburra bird flies out of its cage at Los Angeles Zoo before being captured next day. (Los Angeles Times) |
| 03/25/01 | Las Vegas, NV | Jagger, Bengal tiger working with Wildlife Safari, kills trainer and injures his owner while being prepared for advertising photography shoot. (Kingman Daily Miner) |
| 03/25/01 | Sequin, WA | Zebra bites arm of 3-year-old boy attempting to feed bread to llamas through car window at Olympic Game Farm. Boy pulled from vehicle and dragged until rescued by relative. Stitches required to close wound on arm. (Spokesman Review) |
| 03/25/01 | Allentown, PA | Poisonous cobra bites snake charmer in front of crowd of about 500 people during performance of Royal Palace Circus. Man rushed to hospital for emergency treatment. (The Morning Call) |
| 03/19/01 | Olmsted, OH | Volunteer at Burnette Farm and Education Center attacked by Siberian tiger as he shovels gravel in animal’s cage. Man suffered life-threatening injuries from bite on neck. (Akron Beacon Journal) |
| 11/04/00 | Worcester, PA | Health officials link 11 cases of E. coli infection in children to petting zoo at Merrymead Farm. 8 children are hospitalized, and 6 develop hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to kidney damage. (Philadelphia Inquirer) |
| 10/21/00 | Gambier, OH | Tiger at Siberian Tiger Foundation bites 10-year-old boy on leg. Boy and his father had paid to enter compound for “close encounter” with Siberian tigers chained to posts. Boy treated at local hospital and released. According to USDA, 10 instances of people being injured by tigers occurred in previous 9-month period at this facility. (Columbus Dispatch) |
| 10/12/00 | Los Angeles, CA | Evelyn, gorilla at Los Angeles Zoo, uses overgrown honeysuckle vines to pull herself out of her enclosure and wanders the grounds for 1 hour until subdued by tranquilizer dart. All patrons are evacuated and no visitors or staff are injured in incident. (Los Angeles Times) |
| 09/13/00 | Albuquerque, NM | Tiger cub being used in petting zoo at New Mexico State Fair bites man on arm as man is having his picture taken with cub. Visitor treated for minor injuries. (KOB-TV Channel 4 (NBC) Albuquerque) |
| 08/12/00 | Boise, ID | Tiger mauls woman attending fundraiser for Zoo Boise when tiger slips through cage door. Woman wounded by bullet fired to subdue animal and hospitalized with broken leg and puncture wounds. (CNN.com) |
| 07/24/00 | Dallas, TX | Chimpanzee at Dallas Zoo escapes enclosure and attacks zookeeper before making her way into nearby neighborhood where she is electrocuted on power lines. Zookeeper treated for several scratches. (Dallas Morning News) |
| 06/21/00 | Washington, PA | Young elephant with Circus Hope, apparently disturbed by several children playing toy horns, walks away from her trainers in parking lot of shopping center. Through combined efforts of trainers, police, and security patrol, animal is quieted and led back to her tent. (Observer-Reporter) |
| 06/09/00 | Everett, WA | Health officials link 6 cases of E. coli infection in children to The Farm petting zoo. 3 children hospitalized. Bacterium apparently spread by water in bucket in which children washed their hands. (Associated Press) |
| 06/07/00 | Loves Park, IL | Police shut down 2 lanes of highway while they try to corral 10 ponies loose from Sterling & Reid Circus. No injuries reported to ponies or residents. (Rockford Register Star) |
| 06/02/00 | Hartford, CT | 2-month-old colt with National Hispanic Circus runs loose in parking lot and collides with slow-moving car. Animal is euthanized after determining that leg is broken beyond medical help. (Hartford Courant) |
| 06/00/00 | Bloomington, IL | Man jumps fence to outdoor snow leopard exhibit, sticks his hand through cage, and is bitten by 1 of 2 cats at Miller Park Zoo. Man suffers only minor injuries. (The Pantagraph) |
| 05/30/00 | Pensacola, FL | Orangutan at The Zoo escapes through cage door left unlocked and then attacks and bites keeper who tries to coax animal back inside. Keeper treated at local hospital for bruises and 5 bite wounds to knee. (Pensacola News Journal) |
| 05/20/00 | Kiowa, CO | Bengal tiger at Prairie Wind Animal Refuge tears arm off volunteer who sticks her arm in animal’s cage to demonstrate that visitors can safely pet tigers at refuge. Refuge operates photo safari program where some animals are released from their cages and allowed to roam with visitors. (Denver Rocky Mountain News) |
| 05/16/00 | Brewster, MA | Bengal tiger at Bassett Wild Animal Farm attacks teenage worker when girl enters cage’s feeding area, apparently unaware trap door was open. Girl treated for puncture wounds to leg. (USA Today) |
| 04/20/00 | Yucca Valley, CA | Elephant with Culpepper and Merriweather Circus breaks loose ollowing performance, steps on circus ticket-taker and wanders down local street before being captured by circus handlers. Ticket-taker suffers possible broken hip. After elephant recaptured, 3 circus horses get loose and are returned by workers. (Associated Press) |
| 04/02/00 | Metairie, LA | Bear traveling with Sterling and Reid Bros. Circus topples out of circus trailer and onto Interstate 10, stalling traffic for 3 hours while wary motorists contain animal and wait for help. (The Times-Picayune) |
| 01/26/00 | Riverview, FL | Elephant at winter facility of Ramos Family Circus breaks away from tether to tree and attacks and stomps to death female family member. Other elephant at compound involved in 02/21/99 incident at Poughkeepsie, NY. (St. Petersburg Times) |
| 01/05/00 | Cut and Shoot, TX | 1 of 6 elephants escapes and wanders onto neighboring property and presses against family’s sliding glass door, then crashes through fence to return. Elephant is owned by Bill Swain, who books elephants, lamas, and camels at performances throughout country, under name of Trunks and Humps, Inc. (Houston Chronicle, Las Vegas Sun) |
| 12/22/99 | Madison, WI | Elephant at Henry Vilas Zoo attacks zookeeper and veterinarian while vet checks her chronically sore feet. Zookeeper treated and released from local hospital. After attack, fresh puncture wound observed above elephant’s eye. Elephant involved in previous incident 07/09/98. (Wisconsin State Journal) |
| 11/01/99 | Los Angeles, CA | Koala climbs out of its yard at Los Angeles Zoo and is found few minutes later in nearby tree. Keeper coaxes it out and carries it back to exhibit. (Los Angeles Times) |
| 10/30/99 | Buffalo, NY | Clouded leopard at Buffalo Zoo bites and claws seasonal zookeeper who enters cat’s cage. (Buffalo News) |
| 10/20/99 | Evansville, IN | Lion at Mesker Park Zoo mauls zookeeper, causing severe injury to right arm. Keeper was attempting to move lion to outdoor exhibit when attack occurred. (Evansville Courier & Press) |
| 10/04/99 | Dallas, TX | Elephant walks out of her performance at Texas State Fair and into intersection filled with spectators, causing traffic jam. |
| 11/01/99 | Los Angeles, CA | Koala climbs out of its yard at Los Angeles Zoo and is found few minutes later in nearby tree. Keeper coaxes it out and carries it back to exhibit. (Los Angeles Times) |
| 08/14/99 | Clermont, IA | Black bear cub with Swenson’s Wild Midwest Exotic Petting Zoo taken to barnwarming where it reportedly nips people. Bear dies 2 weeks later of rabies after having potentially infected more than 400 people. (Centers for Disease Control) |
| 06/19/99 | Wichita, KS | Tiger at Safari Zoological Park bites woman when she sticks arm inside cage. Woman is hospitalized for injuries and receives rabies shots. (Wichita Eagle) |
| 06/06/99 | Yorktown, TX | Male tiger jumps on 10-year-old girl who enters cage with stepfather to groom animal. Girl is dragged through cage and dies of head and neck injuries. Stepfather took tiger to exotic animal shows and had applied for USDA exhibitor license at time of attack. (Associated Press) |
| 05/14/99 | Rexburg, ID | Bear bites employee at drive-through animal park, Yellowstone Bear World. Woman treated for minor injuries. (Associated Press) |
| 05/12/99 | Bethune, SC | After riding elephant named Flora, trainer tries to get off but falls under elephant, who steps on her. Trainer is flown to hospital and suffers broken leg. Another trainer, working with Flora at time, is not injured. (Associated Press) |
| 04/24/99 | Duluth, MN | Elephant traveling with Tarzan Zerbini International Circus breaks free of rear shackle and seriously injures circus worker. (Duluth News-Tribune) |
| 04/10/99 | Pearland, TX | Tiger at roadside zoo attacks and injures handler. |
| 03/31/99 | Tyler, TX | Tiger at animal compound attacks volunteer when she reaches in cage to pet animal. Woman’s arm is nearly severed. |
| 03/16/99 | Colorado Springs, CO | Leopard at Colorado Springs Zoo bites 6-year-old on face and neck when boy leans into animal’s cage. (Reuters) |
| 02/28/99 | Salt Lake City, UT | 2 chimpanzees at Hogle Zoo escape and attack 2 employees, critically injuring 1. 1 employee had no training in working with primates and other only limited experience with chimps. (Salt Lake City Tribune) |
| 02/21/99 | Poughkeepsie, NY | Elephant in Hanneford Circus escapes ring and charges toward crowd. 3 people injured while fleeing. (Poughkeepsie Journal) |
| 01/07/99 | Wichita, KS | Tiger cub from Safari Zoological Park bites throat of 5-year-old boy at private residence where tiger is taken following television appearance. Boy receives 29 stitches to close wound. (Wichita Eagle) |
| 01/00/99 | Clarksburg, NJ | 431-lb. Bengal tiger escapes from Tigers Only Preservation Society, 12-acre compound declared illegal by New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife. Dozens of police and some helicopters descend upon residential community near compound to corral tiger, who they ultimately shoot. Owner of facility and self-proclaimed Tiger Lady denies cat is hers. (The Star-Ledger) |
| 11/21/98 | Chicago, IL | Tiger with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus escapes from cage and seriously wounds animal trainer. (Associated Press) |
| 11/13/98 | Gainesville, FL | 5 weeks after killing trainer, white Bengal tiger kills owner by biting her in neck while she hand-feeds him. Animal performed with Ron and Joy Holiday’s Cat Dancers. (St. Petersburg Times) |
| 11/09/98 | Indianapolis, IN | Elephant at Indianapolis Zoo bludgeons zookeeper with her trunk, breaking woman’s ribs. Keeper was bathing elephant at time of attack. (Associated Press) |
| 10/30/98 | Los Angeles, CA | Flamingo walks out of its exhibit at Los Angeles Zoo and roams around public area for about 3 minutes before zoo opens. (Los Angeles Times) |
| 10/08/98 | Gainesville, FL | Tiger described in 11/13/98 incident kills trainer after being startled while being moved from one cage to another. (Reuters) |
| 09/28/98 | Dallas, TX | 340-lb. gorilla escapes from his room at Dallas Zoo, raids kitchen, bites keeper and then drags her down hallway. (Associated Press) |
| 09/20/98 | Oklahoma City, OK | Tapir (large hoglike animal) pulls Oklahoma City Zoo keeper into its cage and bites her arm off as she tries to feed animal. Woman also suffers facial injuries and punctured lung. Although cause of attack is unknown, tapir’s baby was also in cage at time. (Associated Press) |
| 09/02/98 | Citrus Park, FL | Black leopard attacks volunteer worker attempting to pet animal through cage at Wildlife on Easy Street. Wounds to arm required 451 stitches to close. (Sarasota Herald Tribune) |
| 08/29/98 | Syracuse, NY | Elephant with Commerford Petting Zoo giving rides at New York State Fair panics, injuring trainer and 3-year-old who fall from back of animal. (Syracuse Herald) |
| 08/10/98 | Los Angeles, CA | Gray kangaroo hops out of her enclosure at Los Angeles Zoo for 6 minutes after keeper leaves gate open. She is herded back in. (Los Angeles Times) |
| 08/02/98 | Los Angeles, CA | Gracie, chimpanzee at Los Angeles Zoo, finds handhold in sheer gray rock that surrounds her exhibit. She scales wall and gets into planted area, then jumps back into her enclosure after only 5 minutes. (Los Angeles Times) |
| 07/31/98 | Vallejo, CA | Tiger mauls woman tourist during photo shoot at Marine World, seriously injuring her and scratching trainer who comes to her aid. (Associated Press) |
| 07/30/98 | Bismarck, ND | Bengal tiger with Bridgeport Nature Center mauls 5-year-old boy at North Dakota State Fair photo shoot. (Associated Press) |
| 07/09/98 | Madison, WI | 2 elephants at Henry Vilas Zoo injure zookeeper by picking him up, throwing him to ground, and kneeling on him. 1 elephant had attacked zookeepers twice before. |
| 04/21/98 | Los Angeles, CA | 2 zebras break lock of their gate after hours and get out of their enclosure at Los Angeles Zoo. 1 zebra is herded back after 45 minutes, while other has to be anesthetized. (Los Angeles Times) |
| 04/07/98 | Charlotte, NC | Lion at Charlotte Metro Zoo attacks and seriously injures worker cleaning animal’s cage. Worker suffers puncture wounds to both legs and back of head. (Greensboro News & Record) |
| 03/08/98 | Tulsa, OK | 2 elephants at Tulsa Zoo push on walls of their enclosure until fence crumples under their weight. |
| 02/21/98 | Indio, CA | Elephant named Barbara is being led, along with some camels, to place in Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival parade when marching band spooks her. Barbara bolts back to her pen with Festival Queen Sheherazade on her back. No one is injured. (The Desert Sun) |
| 02/16/98 | Mentor, OH | Circus elephant panics at high school, runs off for quarter mile, damages police car. (Associated Press) |
| 02/09/98 | Lincolnton, NC | Leopard attacks trainer during Royal Palace Circus show. (Charlotte Observer) |
| 01/07/98 | St. Petersburg, FL | Tiger with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus grabs trainer by head and drags him around ring, inflicting severe head injuries. (Reuters) |
| 12/28/97 | Charlotte County, FL | Baboon at Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary grabs 6-year-old girl, inflicting minor injuries. (Sarasota Herald Tribune) |
| 12/15/97 | Sarasota, FL | Lioness at Kissimmee Zoo escapes while handlers fix her cage. Animal recaptured after spending 2 days in swamp near zoo. (Sarasota Herald-Tribune) |
| 10/15/97 | Los Angeles, CA | Black panther bites animal trainer, breaking her ankle, during shooting of movie Swiss Family Robinson. (Los Angeles Times) |
| 10/06/97 | South Barrington, IL | Baboon attacks 4-year-old girl at Goebbert’s Pumpkin Farm and Petting Zoo, leaving permanent scars on girl’s arms. |
| 08/28/97 | York Beach, ME | Elephants leased for rides to Wild Animal Kingdom run away from trainer during morning exercises after being startled by truck. (Portland Press Herald) |
| 08/11/97 | Little Rock, AR | Grizzly bear at Little Rock Zoo escapes her pen and rummages through garbage cans in zoo until zookeeper discovers her during night. Bear is darted and returned to bear exhibit. (Arkansas Democrat Gazette) |
| 08/07/97 | Salt Lake City, UT | Gorilla at Hogle Zoo attacks primate supervisor, causing permanent nerve damage to man’s left arm. (Deseret News) |
| 06/28/97 | Seagoville, TX | Man who enters animal area for Clyde Bros. Johnson Circus is attacked by elephant and suffers broken arm and dislocated shoulder. |
| 05/28/97 | Gainesville, TX | Elephant at Frank Buck Zoo crushes her handler to death when he enters animal’s pen to move her to another pen. (Associated Press) |
| 05/27/97 | Little Rock, AR | 2 gorillas at Little Rock Zoo escape cage during night and remain loose in room next to their outdoor area until discovered next morning by zoo employees. 1 gorilla is darted and both led back to their cage. (Arkansas Democrat Gazette) |
| 05/07/97 | Carrollton, PA | Tiger with Frazen Bros. Circus kills trainer in front of 200 kids. (Philadelphia Inquirer) |
| 05/04/97 | Knox County, TN | "Liger" mauls 4-year-old boy at Joe Robinson’s Farm roadside zoo, when boy gets too close to animal’s cage. Boy hospitalized with lacerations to right leg and buttock. (Knoxville News-Sentinel) |
| 04/27/97 | Oklahoma City, OK | Leopard escapes cage and kills woman at Oak Hill Center for Rare and Endangered Species exotic animal rehabilitation center. Animal escapes into woods and is later shot by police. (Associated Press) |
| 04/27/97 | San Antonio, TX | Tiger bites off man’s finger and injures his friend when they break into Wild Animal Orphanage and try to pet tiger. (San Antonio Express-News) |
| 04/24/97 | Salisbury, NC | Chimpanzee escapes from roadside zoo, Charlotte Metro Zoo, and attacks woman in car, damaging car. (Charlotte News Observer) |
| 03/22/97 | Hudson, CO | Lion at Rocky Mountain Wildlife Conservation Center bites left arm of man who sticks it inside animal’s cage. Man suffers ligament damage and broken arm. (Greeley Tribune) |
| 03/19/97 | Orlando, FL | Tiger mauls keeper at Savage Kingdom exotic cat breeding compound, severely mangling man’s leg. (Associated Press) |
| 03/18/97 | San Antonio, TX | Tiger escapes from Wild Animal Orphanage, kills duck and ostrich and wounds llama before being caught. (San Antonio Express-News) |
| 00/00/97 | Rochester, NY | Arctic fox escapes from Seneca Park Zoo and is killed on Interstate 490 in Perinton, more than 16 miles from zoo. (Democrat and Chronicle) |
| 12/28/96 | Brooklyn Park, MN | 7-month-old Bengal tiger having photograph taken at store scratches 2 pet store workers and bites 1. (Reuters) |
| 10/20/96 | Los Angeles, CA | Elephant attacks assistant trainer during training exercise at Los Angeles Zoo, breaking 3 ribs and collarbone. |
| 10/13/96 | Daytona Beach, FL | Child riding elephant at Octoberfest festival knocks her head when she slips in seat and falls on her side. Girl taken to hospital for treatment of possible concussion. (Daytona Beach News Journal) |
| 10/09/96 | Las Vegas, NV | Bonnie, 8-year-old Bengal tiger at Keepers of the Wild, mauls trainer when he feeds her. Trainer undergoes surgery on feet and legs. (Las Vegas Sun) |
| 07/27/96 | Cincinnati, OH | Bengal tiger from Cincinnati Zoo mauls 7-year-old daughter of zoo education director as animal is about to appear on television show with girl’s father. Girl suffers injuries to face and scalp. (Cincinnati Post) |
| 07/20/96 | Mechanicstown, NY | Worker at Orange County Fair scales safety fence and puts arm into cage of 3 Bengal tigers with Commerford Petting Zoo. Female tiger bites down on man’s arm, causing lacerations to hand and wrist. (Times Herald Record) |
| 06/14/96 | Casper, WY | Elephant with Jordan World Circus frightened by horse and knocks down and repeatedly kicks her trainer. Elephant giving rides at time at Central Wyoming Fairgrounds. 1 child falls off elephant during incident. (Casper Star Tribune) |
| 06/05/96 | Manorville, NY | Chimpanzee at Long Island Game Farm escapes from his enclosure when door left unlocked. Animal runs through park, grabbing and scratching children until shot to death by park official. (Newsday) |
| 03/05/96 | Comfort, TX | 2 elephants from King Royal Circus are scheduled to race down Highway 473 carrying riders from local high school. Before race begins, 1 rider falls off elephant’s back and suffers 2 broken ribs and arm and wrist injuries. Trainers move elephant away to avoid further injuries. Race continues when another rider volunteers and both riders take turns riding 2nd elephant. (The Boerne Star) |
| 01/05/96 | Vallejo, CA | 2 trainers at Marine World wild animal park slightly injured when 2 cougars they are exercising attack. (San Francisco Chronicle) |
| 12/18/95 | Fort Worth, TX | Sumatran tiger bursts through chain-link fence and attacks animal handler at Fort Worth Zoo, sending him to hospital with cuts and scratches. (Houston Chronicle) |
| 11/11/95 | Memphis, TN | 2 tigers maul man who enters enclosure at Memphis Zoo. (Memphis Commercial Appeal) |
| 11/02/95 | Then-Speaker of U.S. House Newt Gingrich bitten on chin while holding baby cougar. | |
| 09/30/95 | Indianapolis, IN | Lion with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus bites off index finger of woman who puts hand in cage. (Associated Press) |
| 09/27/95 | Lava Hot Springs, ID | 15 lions shot and killed after escape from Ligertown Game Farm. Game farm owners treated for injuries after attack by at least 1 of the cats. (Associated Press, USA Today) |
| 09/00/95 | Bloomington, IL | Man climbs fence to snow leopard exhibit at Miller Park Zoo to pat leopard on head. When leopard latches onto man’s hand, man jerks free and sustains 3-1/2-inch cut on palm. (The Pantagraph) |
| 08/06/95 | Phoenix, AZ | Mountain lion at Phoenix Zoo gashes 5-year-old’s arm after he wanders too close to animal’s cage and waves stick at animal. (Arizona Republic) |
| 07/10/95 | Queens, NY | 2 elephants with Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus become agitated and go on rampage, triggering panic among spectators. 7 spectators treated for minor injuries. (Associated Press) |
| 05/28/95 | Novi, MI | 7 lions and tigers topple onto freeway after trailer comes unhitched; 1 tiger on loose for 4 hours. Animals were on way to Home Depot store for photo shoot. (Associated Press) |
| 05/19/95 | Hanover, PA | 2 elephants with Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus go on rampage at mall, smashing store windows and damaging cars. 1 elephant had killed woman in 1985. (Gettysburg Times) |
| 05/06/95 | Bronx, NY | Horse traveling with Circus With a Purpose “goes berserk” and tips over children’s cart, causing panic. 20 children and 2 adults treated for injuries. (Newsday) |
| 03/05/95 | Washington, DC | Lions kill and partially devour woman who enters enclosure at National Zoo. Death later ruled suicide. (Associated Press) |
| 02/06/95 | Fort Wayne, IN | Elephant with Tarzan Zerbini Circus steps on circus employee, causing crushed pelvis. Incident occurs as workers load animals and equipment following close of the circus. (News-Sentinel) |
| 12/29/94 | Scottsbluff, NE | Leopard attacks zookeeper at Riverside Zoo, causing serious injuries to woman’s throat, face and chest. (Associated Press) |
| 10/11/94 | San Diego, CA | San Diego Zoo animal trainer Joan Embery suffers deep gashes on face while exhibiting cheetah on television show. |
| 10/10/94 | Riley County, KS | 3-year-old girl trying to feed elephant with King Royal Circus is grabbed around neck by elephant, causing minor injuries. |
| 08/20/94 | Honolulu, HI | Tyke, elephant with Circus International, kills her trainer, injures circus groom and dozen spectators, and rampages through city before she is shot to death by police. (Associated Press) |
| 08/04/94 | Laie, HI | Elephant with Circus International knocks down metal barrier at arena, pinning family to bleachers. (Associated Press) |
| 07/18/94 | New York, NY | Elephant with Moscow Circus attacks translator offstage at ABC’s Live with Regis and Kathie Lee television show. Woman suffers skull fracture, broken ribs, and punctured lung. (Associated Press) |
| 06/30/94 | Louisville, KY | Elephant used for giving rides at Louisville Zoological Gardens escapes by unlatching gate and attacks zoo visitor. Man suffers serious injuries to spleen and pancreas when elephant picks up and drops him several times. (Associated Press) |
| 06/18/94 | Columbia, SC | Tiger at Taylor’s Exotics, exotic animal farm, mauls 17-year-old worker when gate to cage accidentally comes open during cleaning. (The State) |
| 06/06/94 | Miami, FL | Tiger mauls and kills senior zookeeper at Miami Metrozoo when keeper opens door to cage. (Miami Herald) |
| 04/25/94 (reported) |
Muskegon, MI | During intermission of Tarzan Zerbini Circus, elephant rides are offered. 1 elephant falls into passenger loading platform, emptying passengers underneath platform, and bending it. 3 children are injured. (The Circus Report) |
| 04/13/94 | Manchester, NH | Model bitten by lion during photo shoot. |
| 04/06/94 | Salt Lake City, UT | While giving rides at Jordan Circus, elephant picks up, tosses, and steps on trainer, causing internal organ damage. 2 children riding elephant are unhurt. (Associated Press) |
| 04/04/94 | Jackson, MS | Cheetah at Jackson Zoo scales fence and pounces on 8-year-old boy. Child treated for cuts and bruises. (Associated Press) |
| 02/24/94 | Chicago, IL | Elephant handler suffers serious injuries when she slips under elephant she is trying to secure after elephant breaks through holding area at Lincoln Park Zoo. |
| 01/30/94 | Cleveland, OH | Elephant at Cleveland Zoo lunges at keeper, gashing his head. |
| 12/12/93 | Palm Beach, FL | Lion attacks worker at Lion Country Safari, inflicting severe puncture wounds to head and chest. (Miami Herald) |
| 09/14/93 | Joplin, MO | Tiger on animal farm attacks employee and bites off part of arm. (Associated Press) |
| 09/02/93 | Vallejo, CA | Radio personality doing show at Marine World is injured when elephant he is riding runs across public area and throws him onto cement path. (Oakland Tribune) |
| 07/30/93 | Tampa, FL | Elephant at Lowry Park Zoo pins keeper to ground and kicks her in head, killing her. (Associated Press) |
| 07/23/93 | Minot, ND | Tyke, elephant described in 08/20/94 incident, tramples elephant show worker at the North Dakota State Fair, breaking 2 of his ribs. (St. Louis Dispatch) |
| 06/05/93 | Fishkill, NY | Elephant with Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus pins man against trailer at circus grounds and crushes him to death. (New York Times) |
| 05/06/93 | Las Vegas, NV | Lion attacks Circus Vargas employee feeding group of 3 lions at Las Vegas residence. |
| 05/06/93 | Bronx, NY | 2 lions at Bronx Zoo maul man who climbs into their cage. Man receives 19 stitches to head and face. (Associated Press) |
| 05/05/93 | Williston, FL | Elephant at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus compound knocks down trainer, stomps on chest, kills him. (Associated Press) |
| 04/21/93 | Altoona, PA | Tyke, described in 08/20/94 and 07/23/93 incidents, injures young girl while charging through arena during Great American Circus performance. (Philadelphia Inquirer) |
| 04/17/93 | Little Rock, AR | Siberian tiger with Jordan Brothers Circus escapes into stands during Shrine-sponsored circus performance. 13-year-old girl is bitten, causing 7 puncture wounds on back of leg. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette) |
| 02/24/93 | Norfolk, VA | Trainer with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is mauled when breaking up fight between 2 lions. (Virginian-Pilot) |
| 12/15/92 | San Antonio, TX | Elephant keeper at San Antonio Zoo is killed when elephant grabs man and slams him to ground. Keeper is bending down to unfasten elephant from tether in yard when incident occurs. (San Antonio Express-News) |
| 11/30/92 | Pahrump, NV | Tiger attacks Circus Vargas trainer, causing severe injuries. |
| 10/14/92 | Bloomington, MN | Before performance of Zuhria Shrine Circus, elephant rides are given. After several trips with children and adults on its back, elephant loses balance and grabs trainer with mouth. 1 child suffers scrape on leg. Trainer suffers gash on upper leg and is taken to hospital. Elephant rides are again performed at intermission and after show. (United Press International) |
| 09/27/92 | Reno, NV | Tiger bites arm and leg of illusionist Johnathan Pendragon during performance at Reno Hilton, inflicting deep puncture wounds. (Reno Gazette-Journal) |
| 09/17/92 | Tucson, AZ | Lion cub bites arm of 3-year-old girl at Reid Park Zoo. |
| 08/29/92 | Indianapolis, IN | 4 people, including 2 children, fall off elephant giving rides at Indianapolis Zoo. Injured children are treated at local hospital and released. (Indianapolis Star) |
| 07/14/92 | Lafayette, IN | Elephants are being led around ring at Tarzan Zerbini Circus when 1 stops and next elephant bumped into 1st, knocking it into barricade, which topples into crowd. 9 people are injured and 1 woman is taken to hospital suffering from panic attack. (Washington Times) |
| 06/13/92 | Tampa, FL | Elephant named Tillie is being positioned for performance at Lowry Park Zoo when she tries to push trainer into moat surrounding exhibit. Trainer and another return Tillie to barn where she is disciplined, chained, and put through series of commands. Tillie obeys and is returned to outdoor exhibit. (St. Petersburg Times) |
| 02/01/92 | Palm Beach, FL | Elephant with Great American Circus rampages and charges midway in circus tent while giving rides. Woman and 4 children taking ride are rescued but elephant hits police officer, uses her trunk to throw him twice to ground. Animal is shot and killed by police. 12 people are injured during panic, none seriously. (Miami Herald) |
| 12/24/91 | Houston, TX | Elephant attacks trainer at Houston Zoo and breaks his collarbone and 4 ribs. |
| 12/01/91 | Baton Rouge, LA | Chimpanzee escapes from local amusement park, snarling traffic and injuring 2 people before being subdued with tranquilizer darts. (Associated Press) |
| Fall/1991 | Seattle, WA | 5 orangutans escape from their enclosure at Woodland Park Zoo. 2 males and 3 females squeeze through opening in enclosure door. Zoo is shut down for 3 hours while workers use fire hoses and finally tranquilizers to capture orangutans. (Seattle 4 News, KTZZ 22TV, K5 Live) |
| 05/13/91 | Lion with Kessler Bros. Circus puts head of animal trainer in her mouth, suffocating man before animal is shot and killed. | |
| 04/18/91 | Wilkesboro, NC | Leopard with Great American Circus jumps out of ring and bites 3-year-old girl on neck. (Charlotte Observer) |
| 03/14/91 | San Diego, CA | Keeper at San Diego Wild Animal Park is kicked in head and killed while attempting to break up fight between 2 elephants. (Associated Press) |
| 01/12/91 | Oakland, CA | Elephant at Oakland Zoo kicks to death handler cleaning his pen. (San Jose Mercury News) |
| 00/00/91 | Portland, OR | Elephant named Tamba slams trainer against wall at Portland Zoo. Elephant is kept away from people while incident is evaluated. 7 months later, Tamba knocks same man down, fracturing his skull. Man returns to job but zoo officials keep him away from elephant. (St. Petersburg Times) |
| 11/05/90 | Phoenix, AZ | Tiger being walked on leash by his trainer at Phoenix resort attacks woman visitor, inflicting severe puncture wounds to leg. (Phoenix Gazette) |
| 10/00/90 | Indianapolis, IN | Father and son fall from elephant they ride at Indianapolis Zoo. Man suffers dislocated hip and severe groin injury, later sues for lost wages and trauma from incident. (Indianapolis Star 09/03/92) |
| 06/20/90 | Miami, FL | Circus elephant with Hanneford Family Circus is startled by passing car while being led to appearance at swap shop. Elephant falls on her handler who is crushed to death while animal struggles to get back on her feet. (Miami Herald) |
| 06/18/90 | Sidney, MT | Leopard at petting zoo bites 7-year-old visitor. |
| 06/08/90 | Reading, PA | Elephant with the Great American Circus goes on rampage, injuring her trainer and 1 spectator. (Reading Eagle) |
| 06/06/90 | Kansas City, MO | Cheyenne, orangutan at Kansas City Zoo, escapes from her enclosure by unscrewing 4 bolts and removing the plexiglass window. Zoo officials said ay human would need wrench to unscrew bolts. Cheyenne is tranquilized and returned to captivity and plexiglass is replaced with steel. (CBS News Kansas City) |
| 05/30/90 | San Francisco, CA | Leopard at San Francisco Zoo attacks and mauls zookeeper, causing deep wounds to man’s neck. (Associated Press) |
| 04/10/90 | Oakdale, CA | Elephant from Marine World Africa USA giving rides throws off passengers, dragging 1 person 40 feet. |
| 03/19/90 | West Palm Beach, FL | Rampaging elephant at Lion Country Safari gores handler with her tusks after animal lifts man with her trunk, spins him around, and throws him twice to ground. Handler survives after emergency surgery. (Miami Herald) |
| 02/13/90 | San Francisco, CA | Elephant at San Francisco Zoo pushes elephant keeper into moat, causing him to suffer fractured back. (San Jose Mercury News) |
| unknown | Los Angeles, CA | Nubian ibex (type of goat) slips past keeper and out of holding area at Los Angeles Zoo, not once, but twice. 1 of those times ibex spends night in service station before she is discovered. (Los Angeles Times) |
| unknown | Los Angeles, CA | Jim, western lowland gorilla, jumps across moat and into waterfall between 2 gorilla exhibits at Los Angeles Zoo. Jim apparently goes to investigate noises nearby gorillas are making. Keepers use water hose to get him back into his enclosure. This is 2nd time Jim escapes. (Los Angeles Times) |
| unknown | Los Angeles, CA | Jim, western lowland gorilla, busts out of his night stall at Los Angeles Zoo when it is not secured. (Los Angeles Times) |
Note: For more information, including sources of the above incidents, contact Born Free USA united with API.