Search Exotic Incidents Database

A 3-year-old child fell into the jaguar exhibit. Two cats attacked him, and zoo staff tried to use fire extinguishers to keep the cats away. The child was retrieved and taken to the hospital, where he was treated for extensive scalp lacerations, a depressed skull fracture, and minor puncture wounds.

A 44-year-old female Asian elephant named Kimbo died. She was euthanized due to renal failure and arthritis.

A 28-year old man in disagreement with his girlfriend intentionally released her pet snake into a wooded area near the home after accosting her. The snake has not been found.

A woman was awoken by her dog’s frenzied bark to find a 4-foot snake a foot away from her bed. The snake is believed to be the pet of a former tenant in the home. The snake was captured by animal control. The former owner is being sought.

A stolen Chilean flamingo reported missing was returned to the Hattiesburg zoo with life-threatening injuries so severe that the animal had to be euthanized. A second flamingo died from injuries sustained during the attack. Devin Nottis was charged with grand larceny, two counts of animal cruelty and trespassing.

A 23-year-old man named Brian Casey Phillips climbed a guardrail at the zoo and was clawed by a cougar. He suffered a scratch and didn’t need medical attention. He was cited for disturbing zoo animals.

A 30-inch baby alligator was rescued from a home in Mastic Beach. SPCA confiscated the alligator. Owning an alligator is illegal in NY.

A construction worker approached a tiger cage at a private residence and put his hand in. The 300-pound Bengal tiger bit his thumb off.

Police were called when a resident reported a snake in their bathroom ceiling fan. The snake belonged to the tenant in the unit above.

A groundhog used for predicting the coming of spring was dropped by the mayor of Staten Island, Bill de Blasio, and died 7 days later due to internal injuries consistent with the fall. The zoo is under investigation for covering up the story.