Search Exotic Incidents Database

MARSHFIELD, WI – Wildwood Zoo is asking people to stop throwing things into their animal exhibits after staff found a chewed-up dog toy in their wolf exhibit on Thursday. Visitors have been throwing toys and food into the zoo’s exhibits weekly, creating problems for Malachai, a 14-year-old grey wolf. “A lot of people don’t realize a lot of spices can be very harmful to animals,” said Kyle Kirk, Wildwood Zoo manager.

Kirk’s staff have found fast food in Malakai’s exhibit, which should not be part of his diet. The wolf gets 4 pounds of meat daily, ranging from salmon to chicken, plus 7 cups of dog food. These larger portions are because of how much he paces back and forth. Staff are worried Malakai has a blockage in his intestines from a dog toy someone gave him. Staff are hoping to add cameras to the wolf exhibit. For now, they ask people to treat their animals with respect and view the zoo as a place to learn.

KNOX, IN – One pet has died, and another is missing following an hour-long battle against a house fire in Knox. Several fire departments responded to a house fire with possible entrapment Saturday afternoon. Just before 1 p.m., firefighters arrived to find a two-story barn-style home with heavy fire showing on all sides. Crews got to work to put out the flames, but due to water supply complications and deteriorating building conditions, members were pulled from the building.

Firefighters then had to work to control the blaze from the outside of the house. They remained on scene for nearly 3 and a half hours. While no people were injured, two dogs ran away from the scene yesterday. One was returned to the family today, but another remains missing. A pet monkey died in the fire.

ST LOUIS, MO – Multiple monkeys are on the loose in St Louis, Missouri, sparking confusion and concern from the city’s animal control officials, who said they do not know where the primates came from. The monkeys have been running free since at least Thursday, when they were first spotted roaming the streets. Residents have been warned to avoid the exotic animals, as they could be “unpredictable or aggressive under stress”.

MORRISTOWN, TN –  A capuchin monkey named Chester recently caused chaos in a Tennessee music store, breaking open bags of food, ruining office supplies, and bashing three keyboards. Chester entered the business through a small pet door.

Fortunately, Chester did not damage any musical instruments or expensive items. However, he did leave a mess by turning on water faucets at four sinks, causing them to overflow.

Authorities later captured Chester, who is believed to have been stolen from a farm in Alabama and transported to the Morristown area, where he was sold.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Two beloved San Francisco Zoo animals were euthanized last week due to declining health, zoo officials said. Eno, a 34-year-old red-bellied lemur, and Freckles, a 19-year-old Magellanic penguin, were “ambassadors for their species.” Eno was being closely monitored after a kidney disease diagnosis, but his health had declined rapidly due to complications.