November 13, 2004 Bristow, OK An African serval escaped from its cage at Wilderness Safari and was shot and killed by a hunter. The hunter notified the operator of wild animal park of the killing and said he skinned the cat and put the hide in his freezer. Small Cats
November 12, 2004 Port St. Lucie, FL Vanilla Ice’s “pet” wallaroo escaped from his backyard and was on the loose. The animal was later found and returned. Other
November 10, 2004 Houston, TX A pregnant baboon being loaded onto aircraft at Bush Intercontinental Airport escaped after the door to her cage opened. She was eventually caught after clambering up into the rafters below the elevated terminal concourse. The baboon is part of a troupe of primates heading to a San Francisco area zoo. Primates
November 9, 2004 Palm Springs, CA A chimpanzee ran through a residential neighborhood after escaping from the Casa de Cheeta sanctuary for rehabilitation of show business primates. The 16-year-old chimpanzee knocked on residence doors and windows after the owner of the sanctuary forgot to latch the chimpanzee’s security door. A second security door was subsequently installed to prevent any further incidents. Primates
November 6, 2004 Sarasota, FL An 18-year-old circus worker was bitten by a bear while trying to break up aggressive behavior among several bears at the Big Cat Habitat. The man was flown to Bayfront Medical Center where he is listed in fair condition. Bears
November 6, 2004 Chambersburg, PA A man pleaded guilty to several charges of unlawful possession of a Canadian timber wolf. The wolf was confiscated and transferred to a menagerie in another part of the state. Other
November 4, 2004 Salisbury, MD An otter at the Salisbury Zoo bit a 16-year-old boy after he reportedly put his hand in the otter cage. This incident came just five days after a jaguar tore off part of a man’s finger. See 10/30/04 entry. OtherBig Cats
November 1, 2004 Sarasota, FL An 18-year-old circus worker was bitten by a bear while trying to break up aggressive behavior among several bears at the Big Cat Habitat. He was flown to Bayfront Medical Center where he was listed in fair condition. Bears
October 31, 2004 Fordland, MO A former circus elephant pushed through a fence to escape from a farm and was found following day. The 40-year-old, 5-ton female Asian elephant had several cuts when found, which her caretaker said were likely from her making her way through the fence. Elephants
October 30, 2004 Salisbury, MD A jaguar at the Salisbury Zoo tore off part of a man’s finger after the zoo visitor stuck his hand in the jaguar’s cage. The incident came five days before an otter bit a 16-year-old boy. See 11/04/04 entry.