Search Exotic Incidents Database

Attempting to evade the zoo workers chasing her, a stray dog jumped into the tiger pit at the Memphis Zoo. The dog was attacked by one of the tigers, sustaining puncture wounds to her neck and shoulders. She was taken to a local Veterinary hospital for treatment.

Masai, a 17-year-old African lioness at Zoo Atlanta, was reported as being in guarded condition after being diagnosed with severe anemia, which was discovered following treatment for an upper respiratory infection in December. A 14-year-old male Sumatran tiger, Jalal, was also reported as recovering from an illness that had induced spasms of vomiting that began two days prior.

According to a citation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, two leopards named Thunder and Rosebud had visible injuries. Thunder had open wounds on his tail, while Rosebud was hunched over in an abnormal posture and had an open wound on her tail. Nick Sculac, owner of the zoo, failed to report the injuries or seek veterinary treatment.

A worker at the Jacksonville Zoo was hospitalized after being rammed by a 2-year-old, 600-pound antelope called Abe. The worker sustained a serious gash to her leg that required surgery.

A serval got it’s leg caught between the bottom of a sliding chain link door and was found with severe trauma to the leg. The front teeth were all broken. Park officials decided to euthanize rather than amputate due to the animal’s various issues.

Sheriff’s detectives entered pet store in 110-degree heat where 160 exotic reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates were without food, water, and air conditioning for three weeks. Scores of animals died. The 23-year-old pet shop owner told investigators he ran into financial difficulty and power to the store was cut off on 08/03/07. He was later charged with 126 counts of animal cruelty. See 9/20/07.

Animal Control officials removed nearly 40 animals, many neglected, including exotic lizards and tortoises, birds (including a duck and cockatoo), chinchillas, and 5 Pomeranian dogs and a cat. Several chinchillas did not survive the move and 2 dogs had to be destroyed. The animals remained in the care of the city’s animal shelter and the possessor’s home was condemned.

A 35 year old trainer at SeaWorld suffered minor injuries when a killer whale knocked her off of the wall she was sitting on causing her to hit her head.

A young zebra jumped out of the back of a moving trailer and crossed US 41, running into the Heron’s Glen Community before being recaptured by a local Animal Control officer. The zebra suffered injuries. Workers employed by the Shell Factory Zoo declined to disclose where the zebra was being transported.

A young male tiger was found shot to death along Interstate 35 near Dallas. Officials received an anonymous tip and found the tiger lying on the road. The tiger wore a collar and leash and had been shot five times. The tiger was taken to the Dallas Zoo where a necropsy showed that he had been in good health at the time of his death. State and federal officials were investigating.