Search Exotic Incidents Database

Toby, a 45 pound serval big cat, is still missing after jumping out of the window where it lived by a private owner. Serval pet ownership is on the rise since it is an unregulated species, very easy to get, and relatively inexpensive.

A jaguar escaped from its enclosure at the Abilene Zoo and attacked a spider monkey. The jaguar was darted by the zoo veterinarian and secured back into the exhibit. The spider monkey sustained serious injuries and had to be euthanized.

A diver was bitten on the finger by a sandbar shark while he was performing regular maintenance work inside the shark tank. The diver is being treated at a hospital and is not expected to lose his finger.

A pet boa constrictor got out of its cage and bit a young member of the family that owns it. The boy suffered only a “slight abrasion” near his eye. A family member took custody of the two-foot-long juvenile snake.

A woman was arrested after she allegedly vandalized six mailboxes and then crashed her car while carrying a bearded dragon in her bra. The lizard was turned over to an Animal Control Officer.

Honolulu Zoo visitors were rushed to safety when a chimpanzee escaped from its enclosure and was on the loose for about 10 minutes. Officials said the chimp was able to get a finger hold in the wall that allowed him to climb up to the top. A chimpanzee previously escaped from the same enclosure in 2014.

A group of workers saw a python in a grassy area near a gas station. They called 911, who then contacted animal control to come remove the snake. The snake was likely someone’s pet.

A local citizen called police after finding a lemur on their porch. He was brought to Amarillo Animal Management and Welfare and found to be in bad shape due to poor care. Officials located the owner of the lemur, who indicated they no longer have an interest in the animal because the amount of veterinary care that is needed.

A baby Western lowland gorilla died during birth due to complications. The mother, 11-year-old Macy, survived.

Two suspects were arrested for stealing two 12-inch Aztec boa constrictors and two albino tortoises from the Herp Hobby Shop. The boa constrictors were returned to the store. The tortoises have not been recovered.