Search Exotic Incidents Database

A wolf-dog hybrid that had been on the loose since March of this year has been caught. The animal is believed to be a wolf-Alaskan malamute mix that was purchased in Florida as a pet and escaped when the owners were visiting Philadelphia. Wolf-dog hybrids are legal in Pennsylvania only with a special permit. The animal was taken to the Wolf Sanctuary in Lancaster County.

Jozu, SeaWorld’s last false killer whiale is critically ill. Jozu is the last surviving false killer whale in the Continental U.S. Born in captivity, she has lived at the Orlando facility since 1976. Jozu at 17 is considered a young false killer whale since these whales have a maximum longevity of 63 years. The cause of illness is unknown.

Jozu’s illness follows the death of Sully, the pilot whale, who died at the San Diego facility on May 23 of unknown causes.

Several African Painted Dogs escaped their main exhibit area into an enclosed backup yard. Although zoo officials claim there was no danger to the visitors, they called a Code Red, ushering about 200 people on the zoo grounds into buildings. The dogs were eventually coaxed back into their exhibit. The zoo is fixing the fence.

A Siberian lynx was found in poor condition and had to be euthanized. A 15-year old child traded the animal from a Miami wildlife dealer for a dirt bike and dune buggy. The lynx was found discovered in a substandard cage with no access to water and suffering from severe skin and eye infections, as well as kidney and liver failure. The teen-ager and his father were issued misdemeanor citations and attempting to sell wildlife without a permit; the dealer was cited for providing a Claass II animal to an unpermitted individual and for obstruction.

Mahal, a 5-year-old orphaned orangutan, died unexpectedly of a severe tapeworm infection.

Investigations lead to the closure and mass euthanasia of more than 18,400 rodents and 600 exotic reptiles at Global Captive Breeders (GCB), a California breeding facility.

A 38-year old man is accused of stabbing a pet ball python 19 times and leaving a knife in the reptile as it slowely died.

Three serval cats escaped from an apartment – two of which have been caught, but police are still searching for the third cat. Serval cats are illegal to own in California. The Orange County DA will be investigating possible actions against the cats’ guardian.

Charles Mendoza, owner of Dave’s Family Feed Store in Lemon Grove, pled guilty to felony charges after more than 30 birds, reptiles, and rodents were found in deplorable conditions after enduring gross neglect.

A lemur named Keanue kept by the owner of a consignment shop attacked and bit a postal worker. The victim was treated at a hospital for scratches and bite. The lemur was quarantined and returned to his guardian.