Search Exotic Incidents Database

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo announced it had to euthanize Amani, a 26-year-old female reticulated giraffe, on Wednesday.

Zoo officials say Amani experienced a quick decline in her health due to age-related issues. They say her care team made the decision to euthanize her.

HOKE COUNTY, NC – A large boa constrictor vanished from an outdoor enclosure in rural North Carolina where the snake was being kept as a pet. The escape happened along Calloway Road in Hoke County, which is west of Fort Bragg.

“If anyone spots a 6-7 foot boa constrictor please … keep a safe distance, keep children and pets away from the area and contact Animal Control immediately,” the Hoke County Animal Shelter in Raeford wrote in an Oct. 5 Facebook post.

MARSHALL, MO – The Marshall Police Department said an event held at the Saline County Fairgrounds on Saturday, Oct. 3, included a petting zoo for children, and one child who left the kangaroo enclosure “inadvertently left the gate unsecured.” A kangaroo used the opportunity to escape, and an initial search of the area was unsuccessful.

On Sunday, Oct. 4, a resident spotted the kangaroo and called authorities. The caller “maintained visual contact” with the kangaroo until police and the Marshall Animal control officer arrived. The kangaroo was safely captured and returned to its owners in Warrensburg.

JACKSON, MS – City officials said Friday that staff members at the Jackson Zoo have taken steps to address issues that were revealed during a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection.

Inspectors found standing water and mold in the zoo’s veterinary hospital, expired medications, rodent waste near animal food and multiple enclosure problems that could put animals at risk. The routine inspection was conducted Aug. 25 by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The report lists 16 findings involving the facility’s animal care, housing, food, sanitation, pest control and staffing.

Zoo officials are working to implement a tracking and reporting process as corrections are made.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – Zoo officials announced that Zuri, a 20-year-old African lion, was euthanized after a decline in her health related to kidney disease.

DES MOINES, IA – Blank Park Zoo says the calf that Zola the giraffe was expecting has died.

Zola, a reticulated giraffe, was expected to give birth this week. The zoo put her on baby watch on September 30, 2026. In a social media post, the zoo said that veterinary staff observed the calf was not in position for birth and required veterinary assistance on Tuesday. The calf had no heartbeat at birth and was not able to be revived.

OMAHA, NE – Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is mourning the death of two animals.

In a post on social media Monday, the zoo announced that Gracie, a 16-year-old cheetah, and Tilly, a 22-year-old African wild cat, had to be euthanized. The zoo said both had declines in their health due to their older age.

MADISON, WI – Pelo, a 13-year-old lion that spent nearly his entire life at Henry Vilas Zoo, died after a rapid decline in his health, the zoo announced Sept. 18.

Zookeepers first noticed Pelo was moving strangely and losing his balance in June. An eventual diagnosis found chronic degenerative disc disease in his neck and spine. Although he initially responded to treatment, Pelo’s symptoms returned in recent weeks and after a rapid decline, staff made the decision to euthanize him.

CINCINNATI, OH – Joseph, one of the zoo’s two cougars, died Tuesday at nearly 16 years old. No cause of death was disclosed by the zoo.

PROVIDENCE, RI – The Roger Williams Zoo recently announced the unexpected death of a beloved zebra named Zipper after the animal suffered a severe injury believed to have been caused by another zebra sharing the same habitat.

Zipper was found suffering from a critical wound last Thursday afternoon. Despite a large emergency effort to save Zipper’s life, the animal had to be euthanized, according to the zoo. The zoo said that Tundra, its remaining zebra, is under close observation because “herd animals rely heavily on their social group.”