August 2, 2011 New York, NY A peacock escaped from the Central Park Zoo and perched on a Fifth Avenue apartment building near the park. After one day, the bird flew back to the zoo. Other
August 1, 2011 Timmins (Ontario), CA A local man reported encountering a very large, live snake, which turned out to be a Burmese Python measuring about 18 ft in length. Following consultation with zoo officials, the police “humanely dispatched” the snake. It is believed that the snake was deposited by someone in the area. Reptiles
July 28, 2011 Guadalupe County, TX A woman was attacked by a 14-foot boa constrictor as she was giving it some water. The woman is a former wildlife rehabilitator and has years of experience caring for snakes. She had cared for this particular snake for the past 8 years. Emergency crews tried to behead the snake, but the snake survived the attempt. Reptiles
July 28, 2011 South Philadelphia, PA Pennsylvania humane officers seized animals, both dead and alive, from a couple that was hoarding them. Among the seized animals were two dead iguanas, a dead 4-foot alligator, at least three living turtles and countless dogs, frogs, cats, rats, roosters and tarantulas. Some of the animals were reported to be mummified. Reptiles
July 24, 2011 Tyrone Township, MI A 35-pound serval was found near a road and picked up by animal control. Officials believe the cat is a pet who was let loose in the area. The cat was released to Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park in Alto. Small Cats
July 20, 2011 Miami-Dade, FL A rare five and a half-foot Dumeril’s Boa was found in Miami-Dade County. Handlers were able to quickly catch the snake and authorities are trying to find the owner. Reptiles
July 20, 2011 Ft. Lauderdale, FL A South Florida man faces charges after authorities say he tried to illegally sell a marmoset monkey on the internet. He did not have the permit to possess the 1-year old monkey and held it in a cage that did not meet requirements. The monkey was taken to a licensed wildlife facility. Primates
July 17, 2011 Manchester, IA The owner of an Iowa zoo is expected to recover from injuries suffered during a tiger attack. The owner was attacked while feeding an adult tiger. Big Cats
July 15, 2011 Denver, CO A potentially dangerous, large, flightless bird native to Australia called a cassowary, escaped from the Denver Zoo. It was later located and returned to the zoo. Other