These are occurrences that have made Oklahoma News over the past few years. These are considered “exotic species” in most cases … used to being handled and treated for by humans. This does not reflect wildlife attacks and encounters in nature or outside of an enclosure.
This is one example of why a Professional Wildlife Control Operator or Animal Control Operator should be called when you suspect wildlife making a habitat of your business or residence.
TIMELINE : Wild animal attacks in Oklahoma
Published: November 1, 2008
Buzz up!
Wild animal attacks in Oklahoma
Oct. 29, 1981: A 2-year-old girl was bitten on the head by a 250-pound Siberian tiger while the animal was being filmed for a commercial in downtown Oklahoma City. The girl required plastic surgery from injuries sustained when adults tried to pull her from the animal’s jaws.
Dec. 6, 1986: An 11-year-old boy was fatally mauled by a 300-pound black bear that was chained in a Pawhuska man’s front yard. The boy, who was staying at the man’s house, was feeding the bear an ear of corn when it attacked.
Apr. 13, 1987: A 6-year-old girl suffered punctures and cuts that required 18 stitches when a lion cub jumped on her during a pre-school outing at All Pets Inc., an Oklahoma City pet store.
Dec. 31, 1996: An 8-year-old girl was clawed by a 300-pound black bear caged at a neighbor’s house in Ada. The animal broke her right arm and left deep gashes or bite marks.
April 28, 1997: A 52-year-old Puerto Rico woman was fatally mauled by a 7-year-old Persian leopard when she was visiting her son who worked at Oak Hill Center for Rare and Endangered Species on Coffee Creek Road. The leopard was shot and killed by county deputies.
Nov. 20, 1998: An Oklahoma City zookeeper was mauled by a Malayan tapir when the woman was feeding the mammal and its offspring. The zookeeper’s arm was severed and could not be re-attached.
June 6, 2000: A 200-pound black bear cub attacked a handler at Safari’s Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Broken Arrow in Wagoner County.
April 2, 2003: A tiger attacked a female handler at Safari Joe’s Exotic Animal Park in Adair. She was outside the cage, but apparently reached in or leaned against a slot in the cage, and the animal ripped off her arm. She died at a Tulsa hospital.
Oct. 29, 2008: An animal handler was attacked by a liger (offspring of a male lion and female tiger) at Safari’s Animal sanctuary near Broken Arrow. He died the next night.
If you are having any wildlife issues … contact us first before you find yourself in a similar situation like those above.
Thank you:
Reginald & Jennifer Murray - Owners
Oklahoma Wildlife Control, LLC
918-694-8190
918-694-8130
info@oktrapsupply.com
