March 23, 2016 Winnetka, IL Severely abused pythons and leopard geckos were removed from a home and brought to the Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital. They were kept in awful conditions, in feces and covered with snake mites. Some of the reptiles were already dead and some died at the hospital. Out of four leopard geckos, and two have survived, and out of five snakes, three have survived. Reptiles
March 22, 2016 Norwalk, IA A 3-foot-tall pet kangaroo escaped his home and wandered around the city. Police captured the animal and transferred it to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Other
March 22, 2016 Okaloosa, FL Two men stole a 3-foot alligator from a tank containing four alligators at a Fudpuckers restaurant. Reptiles
March 22, 2016 Cincinnati, OH Willow, a 5-year-old cheetah who gave birth to five cubs on March 8, died. She did not recover from the C-section. Big Cats
March 21, 2016 Studio City, CA A former California exotic pet dealer named Hiroshi Motohashi let a 13-foot python loose in a sushi restaurant after managers kicked him out for bringing another, smaller snake to dinner. The snake tried to slither away but got stuck in a cabinet near the cash register. Animal control officers freed it and removed it. Motohashi was arrested for making criminal threats. Officials are caring for both of his snakes — the yellow python and the smaller serpent — until he can show proof of ownership and proper pet permits. Reptiles
March 20, 2016 Philadelphia, PA A man was bitten by his pet rattlesnake. He was taken to the hospital, and the snake was transferred to an animal rescue center. Rattlesnakes are illegal to own without a permit in Philadelphia. Reptiles
March 19, 2016 Albuquerque, NM Albuquerque’s zoo briefly went on lockdown after a siamang escaped from its enclosure Saturday morning. Zoo officials say Tika, a 2-year-old ape, slipped through a hole in the mesh of its enclosure and couldn’t find a way back in. Zookeepers managed to herd her back into the exhibit. Primates
March 19, 2016 Baton Rouge, LA Two of the Baton Rouge Zoo’s four giraffes died on the same day. One had been suffering from a chronic illness and the other was knocked down by different giraffe in a barn stall. Other
March 18, 2016 Oakland, CA Two zebras got loose from UniverSoul Circus and were seen running along a major East Oakland Road. Circus personnel were able to herd them back. Other
March 18, 2016 Starkville, MS A 7-foot-long red tail boa constrictor escaped from a house. Animal control officers found and captured the snake 23 days later. The police announced that the snake would be returned to his owner. Reptiles