June 9, 2012 Franklin County, MO Two wolves kept as pets escaped their enclosure. One was shot and killed that day, the other wolf killed a pet Boston terrier on June 14th, then was captured on July 8th by a snare trap set by the wolf’s guardian. Charges may be pending. Other
June 7, 2012 Nevada County, CA A man was trying to sell or give away two bear cubs displayed at a gas station. The man claimed he shot the mother in self defense when the family of bears came onto his property. The man claims the mother bear ran away after being shot. Although officials found blood on the property, they could not find the bear and she is presumed dead. CA Fish and Game officials are trying to validate the man’s story. The cubs were confiscated by Fish and Game and will be rehabilitated, hopefully to be released back into the wild. They are thought not to be ideal candidates because they have now been around humans. Bears
June 6, 2012 Brooksville, FL A western mountain lion being kept as a pet escaped its enclosure and killed a neighbor’s dog. The cougar was returned to its enclosure – no legal actions have been taken to date. Big Cats
June 6, 2012 New Bedford, MA A New Bedford landlord discovered an alligator and a pit bull while he was clearing out an abandoned apartment. The animals were being kept as pets, then abandoned. The former owners will be charged with possessing an illegal animal and animal cruelty. The alligator was taken to a sanctuary and the pit bull to a rescue group. Reptiles
June 6, 2012 Denver, CO Rinny, a 4-year-old Malayan tapir, was found wandering outside her enclosure in the Toyota Elephant Passage. She escaped by squeezing between cables that surrounded her space. A gate to her home area was opened and she walked back inside after 5 minutes. Other
June 4, 2012 Lucerne Valley, CA A Lucerne Valley man was in critical but stable condition after he was bitten by a rattlesnake he had been keeing as a pet for over 10 years. Reptiles
June 4, 2012 Pittsburgh, PA The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium announced its 3-and-a-half month old baby gorilla died over the weekend. Cause is still unknown. He was the first gorilla born at the zoo since 2001. Primates
June 3, 2012 Haddon Township, NJ A woman discovered a caiman in the Cooper River waterway while kayaking. She called her friend, who is reptile enthusiast, who came and got the caiman. It is thought to be a former pet no longer wanted and let go. Reptiles
June 3, 2012 Cambridge Springs, PA Pennsylvania authorities were searching for the owner of a runaway wallaby after officials captured the animal on a rural road. The animal is currently being cared for at a licensed animal facility until its owner is idenfied. Other
June 1, 2012 Hollywood, CA The cast and crew of the movie musical, Rock of Ages, were put on alert when the baboon being used on the set dashed off during a crowd scene and could not be found. A set-wide alert went out letting everyone know how dangerous a baboon can be. The baboon was later lured into his trainer with Mexican paella. Primates