Search Exotic Incidents Database

A 24-year old man was mauled to death while cleaning a grizzly bear enclosure at a wildlife casting agency called Animals of Montana in Gallatin County. The bear was shot and killed. The death is being investigated.

A 2-year old child was killed by African Painted Dogs when he fell into their enclosure at the Pittsburgh Zoo. The toddler’s mother had lifted him in a standing position on the 4-foot wall that overlooks the enclosure when somehow toppled over falling into the enclosure where he was set upon by the dogs. One dog was shot and killed, and the others were able to be corralled. The incident is under investigation.

The same dogs had escaped their enclosure on May 5, 2012 into a “backup yard” not visible to the public, but the zoo claims the public was not at danger.

An 8-foot python escaped from its tank and was on the loose for 2 months before being found on the property.

A man used his pet python to beat his girlfriend, then killed the snake by throwing it into the hot tub.

An 8-foot python was discovered in an Ohio field by a local farmer while plowing. It wasn’t until the farmer ran over the snake with the plow and killed it that he recognized the object as a snake. It is believed that the snake was someone’s former pet that had been set loose.

Kevin Vogel, who operates Safari North Wildlife Park with his wife, was transporting a Syrian bear from his business’ headquarters to the wildlife park when it “escaped from a kennel-type enclosure with a faulty latch” at a restaurant in Clearwater, according to a USDA-APHIS report. The animal “encountered people in the parking lot of the restaurant” before its capture, but no one was injured. The bear was then taken to an animal hospital and rehabilitation facility.

Vogel was fined $1,357.

A popular reptile road show attraction burned down and killed about 75 reptiles, spiders and amphibians. Only 25 of approximately 100 exotic reptiles, amphibians and spiders survivied the blaze.

A Columbia Redtail Boa, a South African Boa, and a python were found abandoned in a home, along with two dogs.

A woman taking out her trash found an 8-foot long boa in nearby bushes. FL Fish and Wildlife contacted the owner and is investigating whether or not the snake was properly caged. The owner could be facing misdeameanor charges.

A 3-foot long alligator was found in a park on Long Island. The alligator was found in an area where children play in Lilly Pond County Park. Also found recently in nearby areas were other alligators, a Boa constrictor, a rattlesnake, and an iguana. It is believed that someone was setting these animals loose.