Search Exotic Incidents Database

BROWNSVILLE, TX – The South Texas zoo located in Brownsville announced the passing of its 17-foot-tall male giraffe, Malcolm, on Friday, February 28. Malcolm reportedly suffered an “incapacitating” injury on February 22, and despite “exhausting all efforts,” staff made the “difficult decision” to humanely euthanize him, according to a Facebook post by Gladys Porter Zoo.

Night keepers noticed Malcolm’s injury when they found him on the ground in the giraffe barn, where it seemed he was struggling to stand up. Shortly after veterinary and animal care teams were notified, maintenance technicians assisted the 2,500-pound giraffe to his feet using a hoist.

KNOXVILLE, TN – A pet porcupine made a daring escape and was picked up in Knoxville by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

The animal was taken to the Young Williams Animal Center, with TWRA advising people with exotic pets to ensure they are properly contained. The agency also said porcupines are a Class 3 animal, which means no permit is required to own them in Tennessee.

JACKSON, MS – Four Amazon parrots at the Jackson Zoological Park were found dead recently, believed to be the victims of a mink attack. On Monday, Jackson Parks and Recreation Director Abram Muhammad said that the animals were found dead after a search. Muhammad said the birds were moved into a barn due to the cold weather. A mink had apparently got into the enclosure and killed them.

“Their bodies were still intact, and based upon what I was taught, and what the vet told us, that is the nature of how minks usually [kill their victims],” he said. Muhammad said the matter was self-reported to the USDA.

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Officials with the Oklahoma City Zoo have just announced the unexpected death Mwami, a 36-year-old chimpanzee. Officials said that on Feb. 7, Mwami underwent a routine health screening and dental surgery and appeared to be in good health. After the examination and procedure, Mwami was taken from an animal hospital to the zoo’s Great EscApe habitat to be monitored while he recovered from anesthesia. While he was recovering, zoo officials said Mwami went into cardia arrest and caretakers and the veterinarian team were unable to resuscitate him.

PALM DESERT, CA – Keepers at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Palm Desert believe the fox is “on grounds, likely in one of the gardens, munching on small insects,” the zoo said in a news release.

The bat-eared fox, who weighs about 10 pounds, escaped from a behind-the-scenes holding facility at the zoo on the evening of Monday, Feb. 10, the zoo said. The fox was spotted several times overnight by searchers but remains on the loose, the zoo said. The zoo asks visitors to be on the lookout for the fox and to call 760-346-5694 if they spot it. They ask visitors not to approach the fox.

MIAMI, FL – A Miami resident sprang into action upon witnessing a giant tortoise making an escape from the owner’s home.

The man managed to capture the tortoise between his legs to prevent the animal from wandering further into the street. As he wrestled with the animal to keep them from crossing the road, he called upon another neighbor to knock on the owner’s door and inform them of the situation. The tortoise was recaptured and returned to the owner.

Mobile, AL – A Starbucks employee was attacked by a customer’s pet monkey, Alabama police say. According to the police, the employee was working the drive-thru when a monkey inside a customer’s vehicle got free. A co-worker rushed to help and pulled the monkey off of the employee. “The monkey then re-entered the customer’s vehicle before the customer drove away,” police said.

The owner of the animal could face charges. This remains an active Animal Services investigation,” police said. Mobile County health officials told Lagniappe Daily that the animal has been identified as an owl monkey, a nocturnal primate.