May 21, 2009 Orem, UT A semi-truck driver lost control, crashing and damaging a pen that housed a rare Cassowary bird. Authorities followed a blood trail and recovered the injured bird. Other
May 19, 2009 Hohenwald, TN A 21 year old Asian elephant dies at the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. “Ned” was confiscated by USDA because he was severely malnourished. A necropsy showed ulcers in Ned’s intestine, pancreas and other organs. The director of the sanctuary blamed Ned’s digestive problems on the stress of circus life. Elephants
May 17, 2009 St. Helens, OR A local resident reported her 3-ft-long alligator missing from her residence. Reptiles
May 16, 2009 Punta Gorda, FL A police officer stopped traffic to rescue a 4-1/2-ft-long python. The snake died shortly after being taken to the Peace River Wildlife Rehab Center. The snake had suffered a broken jaw and other injuries. Reptiles
May 15, 2009 Chicago, IL Affie, a female African elephant about to turn 40, died after her keepers at the Brookfield Zoo found her lying on her side, unable to stand. Affie’s death was still undiagnosed but a necropsy was scheduled to be performed. Elephants
May 8, 2009 Green County, MO Two Japanese snow macaques escaped after a storm-damaged tree struck their enclosure. Authorities investigated but didn’t consider it a criminal violation and worked with the possessors to recapture the monkeys. **UPDATE 06/05/09 – One of the two monkeys died after being hit by a car. The monkey was found on a rural road near Pleasant Hope. Primates
May 6, 2009 Chittenango, NY A wallaroo escaped from its possessor and was on the loose. Traps were set but the animal eluded them. Other
April 25, 2009 Toledo, OH 22-year-old Shani, a female western lowland gorilla, was found dead in an off-exhibit holding area at the Toledo Zoo. A necropsy revealed liver involvement but did not provide a definitive cause of death. Primates
April 24, 2009 Springfield, MO Officials investigated a man’s allegations that his neighbor’s escaped monkey lunged at him. The neighbors were questioned in connection with the monkey’s escape. The monkey was recaptured without incident. Primates
April 24, 2009 Calhan, CO A volunteer named Michael McCain was bitten by a tiger while cleaning out one of the cages. The tiger’s head was beaten with a shovel. The bite was on the arm and not life-threatening. Big Cats