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日本語Big Cats are in crisis
IFAW is calling on you to help pass the Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act.
Passing this bill will finally mean that captive big cats do not threaten public safety, diminish global conservation efforts, or end up living in deplorable conditions.
State Laws: 
Ban 
Permit 
No Restriction
Ban Permit No Restriction
Cub Petting Facility
Incident
Click on any state to find out whether it regulates keeping big cats as "pets". Private possession of big cats is a legal patchwork: 30 states ban private possession, 14 states allow possession with a permit, and 6 states have absolutely no restrictions on private possession at all. All states but for Kentucky, Ohio, and Washington exempt USDA licensees.
Each red dot represents a dangerous incident that involved human injury, human death, and/or a big cat escape in the U.S.
Please note that only incidents reported by the media are listed, so there are likely many unreported incidents.
Click on the red dots to find out more.
Please note that only incidents reported by the media are listed, so there are likely many unreported incidents.
Click on the red dots to find out more.
Many big cat breeders and exhibitors charge the public to pet and take photos with young big cat cubs, especially tigers. Below is a partial illustration of some of the facilities with websites that advertise cub handling and photo ops (click on the arrows and the websites will pop up). It's never a good idea to pay to pet a big cat cub or take your photo with one. Don't be fooled—you will not be contributing to conservation or rescue.
State-by-state breakdown of dangerous and lethal incidents involving captive big cats in the U.S.
(deaths in the U.S. 1978 – Present; incidents in the U.S. 1997-Present)
Results: 272 incidents
(deaths in the U.S. 1978 – Present; incidents in the U.S. 1997-Present)
Results: 272 incidents
| State | Category | Title | Year | Link | PDF Download |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Escape | Animal park closes amid complaints, problems | 10/22/2009 | Link | |
| Alabama | Human Injury | Worker hurt in lion attack at Birmingham Zoo | 02/16/2006 | Link | |
| Alabama | Human Injury | Lawsuit filed against McClelland's Critters | 04/26/2009 | Link | |
| Alabama | Escape | Animal park closes amid complaints, problems | 10/24/2009 | Link | |
| Alabama | Human Death | Pet Lion Kills Owner | 10/25/1978 | Link | |
| Arizona | Human Injury | Tiger Attacks Woman at Nearby Animal Sanctuary | 05/04/2008 | Link | |
| Arizona | Human Injury | Never Trust A Tiger | 10/20/2003 | Link | |
| Arizona | Human Injury | Tiger Attacks Woman at Nearby Animal Sanctuary | 05/01/2006 | Link | |
| Arkansas | Escape | Arkansas town on edge after four lions killed in woods | 09/20/2002 | Link | |
| Arkansas | Human Injury | Cougars maul handlers at park | 01/24/2002 | Link | |
| Arkansas | Escape | Tiger cubs heading to new home | 05/02/2005 | Link | |
| Arkansas | Human Injury | Cougars rescued in Marion County Owner injured just before Turpentine Creek Refuge workers arrive | 07/07/2007 | Link | |
| Arkansas | Human Injury | Cougars maul handlers at park | 01/24/2002 | Link | |
| Arkansas | Human Injury | Woman is injured by tiger in Gentry | 11/11/2004 | ||
| Arkansas | Human Injury | Tiger bites firefighter at Crossett Zoo | 06/23/2003 | ||
| Arkansas | Escape | One of three pet tigers dies after capture | 04/09/2001 | ||
| Arkansas | Escape | Tiger on the loose | 03/16/2001 | ||
| Arkansas | Human Injury | Tiger mauls sanctuary volunteer Man critical after unknowingly entering area with uncaged big cats | 04/15/1998 | Link | |
| California | Escape | Couple admit owning escaped tiger | 01/09/2007 | Link | |
| California | Escape | Big cat goes on walk-about in zoo: Tiger's outing on grounds of Hesperia Zoo prompts excitement, crowd | 09/03/2011 | Link | |
| California | Escape | Couple Arrested in Tiger's Escape | 03/17/2005 | Link | |
| California | Escape | Lion or Tiger, Not Bear, Oh My! Search continues for a 400- to 600-pound cat in the hills of Simi and Moorpark. Residents are urged to be cautious. | 02/20/2005 | Link | |
| California | Tigers Get Tender Care From Big Cat Lovers | 12/11/2003 | Link | ||
| California | Many Dead Tigers are Found at Big Cat 'Retirement Home' | 04/24/2003 | Link | ||
| California | Human Injury | The State Exhibitors Rethink Wildlife Shows | 01/06/2003 | Link | |
| California | Human Injury | Trainer Bitten by Panther on Movie Set at Malibu Park Accident | 10/16/1997 | Link | |
| California | Human Injury | Zookeeper Recovering After Attack by Tiger | 03/25/2003 | Link | |
| California | Human Injury | Woman bitten by zoo's cheetah | 11/14/2003 | Link | |
| California | Human Injury | Cuthbert recalls cougar bite | 04/15/2004 | Link | |
| California | Escape | Lion or Tiger, Not Bear, Oh My! Search continues for a 400- to 600-pound cat in the hills of Simi and Moorpark. Residents are urged to be cautious. | 02/20/2005 | Link | |
| California | Human Injury | Tiger Mauls Zoo Trainer as Visitors Watch | 12/23/2006 | Link | |
| California | Human Death | Oakland Zoo's tiger exhibit mobbed after fatal SF tiger attack | 12/26/2007 | Link | |
| California | Escape | SF zoo details 2 new animal incidents | 01/11/2008 | Link | |
| California | Human Injury | Sanctuary tiger mauls caretaker | 12/04/2007 | Link | |
| California | Human Death | Lion kills worker at Calif. Sanctuary | 03/06/2013 | Link | |
| California | Human Injury | Tiger Mauls Woman at Animal Theme Park | 08/01/1998 | Link | |
| California | Human Injury | Jaguar bites second trainer as film chase turns real | 10/24/1997 | Link | |
| Colorado | Escape | African Lion on the Loose in Colorado | 07/14/2008 | Link | |
| Colorado | Human Injury | Man Mauled by Tigers | 06/30/2003 | Link | |
| Colorado | Human Injury | Hero of tiger attack dies | 06/01/2000 | Link | |
| Colorado | Human Injury | Leopard Attacks Colo. Boy at Zoo | 04/16/1999 | Link | |
| Colorado | Human Injury | Hero of tiger attack dies | 06/01/2000 | Link | |
| Colorado | Human Death | Jaguar That Killed Denver Zookeeper Had Mean Twin Named Osama | 02/27/2007 | Link | |
| Colorado | Human Injury | Man Bitten By Tiger At Serenity Springs | 04/24/2009 | Link | |
| District of Columbia | Human Death | Woman Found Dead in Lion's Pen Identified | 03/07/1995 | Link | |
| District of Columbia | Escape | What's New at the National Zoo? | 12/23/2006 | Link | |
| Florida | Escape | Pet cougar escapes, kills neighbor's dog | 06/15/2012 | Link | |
| Florida | Escape | Loose Bengal Tiger Causes Chaos at Jungle Island | 08/29/2010 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Injury | ‘It’s biting me!’ Teen recounts terrifying cougar attack | 11/24/2008 | Link | |
| Florida | Escape | State investigates case of the missing lynx in Palm City | 10/07/2008 | Link | |
| Florida | Escape | Tiger and lion escape from Florida animal sanctuary | 08/20/2008 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Injury | Scrapes, bites come with the job | 05/14/2008 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Injury | Cheetahs' owner says attack 'not a big deal' | 03/31/2008 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Injury | Tiger mauls sanctuary volunteer; FWC charges founder for 43rd time | 02/21/2008 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Injury | 4-Year-Old Girl Mauled by Cougar at Kids' Birthday Party | 12/08/2006 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Injury | Part I: Gulf Breeze Zoo Gone Wild With Attack, Escapes | 11/22/2006 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Injury | Tiger swats its owner inside cage | 09/13/2006 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Injury | Drunken driver bitten by tiger | 03/20/2006 | Link | |
| Florida | Part III: Lower Towamensing to debate allowing a backyard cougar | 09/23/2002 | Link | ||
| Florida | Human Injury | Chipperfield 'critical' after mauling by tiger | 01/08/1998 | Link | |
| Florida | Escape | Part I: Lower Towamensing to debate allowing a backyard cougar | 09/23/2002 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Death | Tiger Kills Zoo Worker | 06/07/1994 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Injury | Loose Tiger Surprises Worker, Mauls His Leg During Feeding Time | 03/20/1997 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Death | Part II: Tiger Kills owner six weeks after killing trainer | 10/08/1998 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Death | 550-pound Tiger Kills Trainer | 08/01/2001 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Injury | Finger In Cage Incited Lion to Bite | 05/14/2002 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Injury | Zookeeper not angry at lion that attacked him | 11/12/2002 | Link | |
| Florida | Escape | Bengal tiger escaped while cage was cleaned | 02/06/2003 | Link | |
| Florida | Escape | Attacks, other incidents involving captive animals | 07/13/2004 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Injury | Tiger Attacks 14-Year Old Boy, Handler At Fair | 11/21/2004 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Injury | Woman is nipped on hand by tiger | 02/24/2006 | Link | |
| Florida | Escape | Bengal Tiger Escapes From Cage | 02/27/2005 | Link | |
| Florida | Escape | Loose tiger killed at zoo | 08/23/2006 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Injury | Zoo trainer recovering after tiger bite | 02/11/2008 | Link | |
| Florida | Escape | Pregnant Cougar on the Loose in Osceola County | 05/04/2009 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Injury | Jaguar tears off thumb of visitor to Panther Ridge Conservation Center | 03/05/2010 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Death | Part I: Tiger Kills owner six weeks after killing trainer | 11/15/1998 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Injury | Part II: Gulf Breeze Zoo Gone Wild With Attack, Escapes | 11/22/2006 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Injury | PETA seeks inquiry into cougar's strangulation | 01/27/2006 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Injury | Local pet tiger fractures woman's head | 02/03/2002 | ||
| Florida | Human Injury | Tiger owner often investigated | 11/24/2004 | Link | |
| Florida | Human Injury | Hurt teen will work with animals, mom says | 08/25/1998 | Link | |
| Georgia | Escape | Cheetah gets loose on Delta flight | 10/31/2008 | Link | |
| Hawaii | Escape | Tiger Escapes Honolulu Zoo Enclosure | 02/22/2008 | Link | |
| Idaho | Human Injury | Private zoo operator loses ID Supreme Court fight | 12/28/2009 | Link | |
| Idaho | Human Injury | Animal park faces fines | 05/28/2003 | ||
| Idaho | Human Injury | Tiger attacks patron at zoo fundraiser | 08/12/2000 | Link | |
| Illinois | Secret Slaughter of Exotic Animals Revealed | 12/08/2002 | Link | ||
| Illinois | Escape | Police shoot, kill escaped tiger Animal fled from owners at B-N truck shop | 09/29/2002 | Link | |
| Illinois | Human Death | Illinois animal keeper killed in tiger attack | 04/02/2003 | Link | |
| Illinois | Human Death | Lion Attacks, Kills Hardin County Man | 02/14/2004 | Link | |
| Illinois | Human Injury | Lincoln Park keeper safe after attack in lion pit | 09/10/2004 | Link | |
| Illinois | Human Injury | Man sues animal facility, says tiger attacked him | 06/15/2007 | Link | |
| Illinois | Human Injury | From his hospital bed, man dismisses tiger attack as 'not a big deal' | 08/08/2008 | Link | |
| Illinois | Human Injury | Owner found guilty after tiger bites child | 09/28/2002 | ||
| Illinois | Human Injury | Man bitten by leopard at Miller Park Zoo; B-N resident allegedy leapt fence to pet cat | 06/07/2000 | Link | |
| Illinois | Human Injury | Circus trainer clawed by tiger in serious condition | 11/23/1998 | Link | |
| Indiana | Escape | Tiger escape proves to be wild ride | 12/11/2008 | Link | |
| Indiana | Escape | Cougar Remains Loose After Escaping Rescue Center | 01/08/2007 | Link | |
| Indiana | Human Injury | Young tiger claws trainer during circus | 11/26/2008 | Link | |
| Indiana | Escape | Mountain lion escapes from car, gets shot | 02/02/2004 | Link | |
| Indiana | Escape | Police Suspect Large Cat Attacked Parked Car | 05/08/2003 | Link | |
| Indiana | Human Injury | Zookeeper mauled by lion at Mesker Zoo | 10/20/1999 | Link | |
| Indiana | Human Injury | Potawatomi Zoo worker recovering after leopard attack | 05/26/2008 | Link | |
| Indiana | Human Injury | Young tiger claws trainer during circus | 11/28/2006 | Link | |
| Indiana | Human Injury | Zoo worker mauled by Sumatran tiger | 02/28/1999 | ||
| Indiana | Escape | DNR seizes tigers, lions from facility | 05/30/2012 | Link | |
| Iowa | Human Injury | Tom Sellner, Owner Of Cricket Hollow Zoo, Attacked By Tiger During Feeding | 07/17/2011 | Link | |
| Iowa | Escape | Escaped tiger killed by deputy | 11/15/2007 | Link | |
| Kansas | Escape | Mt. lion killed after escape at Great Bend Zoo | 05/25/2009 | Link | |
| Kansas | Human Injury | Lion Mauls Man At Kansas Refuge | 02/25/2009 | Link | |
| Kansas | Human Death | Tiger kills Kansas teen posing for photo | 08/19/2005 | Link | |
| Kansas | Human Injury | Tiger bites woman who sticks arm in cage | 08/22/2001 | Link | |
| Kansas | Escape | Tiger escape sparks questions over animal permits | 05/09/2001 | Link | |
| Kansas | Human Injury | Tiger attacks child | 01/10/1999 | Link | |
| Kansas | Human Injury | Mid-America Digest | 06/26/1999 | Link | |
| Kansas | Human Injury | Sedgwick County Zoo leopard attacks boy through cage | 05/06/2011 | Link | |
| Kansas | Human Injury | High school student gets nibbled when she puts her hand in cougar's cage | 02/25/2000 | ||
| Kansas | Escape | Escaped Lions Returned to Cages | 11/19/1999 | Link | |
| Kansas | Escape | Big Cat Seizure | 01/09/2004 | Link | |
| Kansas | Escape | Woman tells of encounter with jungle cat | 04/22/2013 | Link | |
| Kentucky | Escape | Wildlife Officials Looking For Escaped Snow Leopard | 08/29/2004 | Link | |
| Louisiana | Escape | Bengal tiger on the loose eludes police | 09/01/2004 | Link | |
| Louisiana | Human Injury | Louisiana woman is fair after pet leopard bites her | 02/11/2004 | Link | |
| Maine | Human Injury | Leopard injures employee at zoo | 09/10/2004 | Link | |
| Maryland | Human Injury | Zoo owner shares more details on jaguar attack | 02/05/2004 | Link | |
| Maryland | Human Injury | Zoo's Jaguar Mauls Worker Cleaning Den | 01/20/2009 | Link | |
| Maryland | Human Injury | Man injured after sticking hand in jaguar's cage | 10/30/2004 | Link | |
| Massachusetts | Human Injury | Probe May Delay Opening of Animal Farm | 05/18/2000 | Link | |
| Michigan | Human Death | Woman Mauled to Death by Lion | 10/31/1995 | Link | |
| Michigan | Human Injury | Detroit Zoo worker survives lion attack | 05/26/2008 | Link | |
| Minnesota | Human Injury | Part I: Boy Attacked by Tiger, Lion in Minn. | 06/23/2005 | Link | |
| Minnesota | Human Injury | Pet tiger cub taken from Albert Lea home | 02/11/2003 | Link | |
| Minnesota | Human Injury | Midwest: Minnesota: Tiger That Bit Girl is Killed | 08/28/2001 | Link | |
| Minnesota | Human Injury | Tiger-keeper faces possible fine, jail time | 02/20/2004 | Link | |
| Minnesota | Human Injury | A jungle of confusion: tigers in Minnesota | 05/25/2005 | Link | |
| Minnesota | Human Death | Tiger trainer was fearless, but one cat was a killer Pine County mauling death is Minnesota's first fatality in a string of animal attacks | 04/08/2006 | Link | |
| Minnesota | Escape | Police respond to loose lions in Beltrami County | 04/15/2010 | Link | |
| Minnesota | Human Injury | Man without tiger's paperwork arrested | 06/25/2005 | Link | |
| Minnesota | Human Injury | 7-Year-Old Girl Attacked by Tiger | 02/11/2009 | Link | |
| Minnesota | Human Injury | Duluth zoo aid is OK after first aid; The zookeeper was released from a hospital a day after being bitten by an anesthetized Siberian tiger just out of paw surgery | 10/08/2005 | Link | |
| Minnesota | Escape | Part II: Boy Attacked by Tiger, Lion in Minn. | 06/23/2005 | Link | |
| Minnesota | Human Injury | Minoters witness cougar attack | 05/19/2010 | Link | |
| Missouri | Human Injury | Part II: Missouri sees second tiger attack in 2 days | 08/04/2008 | Link | |
| Missouri | Escape | Deputy kills jaguar ... or was it leopard? | 05/20/2008 | Link | |
| Missouri | Escape | Cheetah Escape Baffles Mo. Zoo Officials | 02/11/2009 | Link | |
| Missouri | Human Injury | Part I: Missouri sees second tiger attack in 2 days | 08/04/2008 | Link | |
| Missouri | Sheriffs: 2 tiger attacks show tougher laws needed | 08/06/2008 | Link | ||
| Missouri | Escape | Cheetah Cub Briefly Escapes Zoo Exhibit | 11/20/2007 | Link | |
| Missouri | Human Injury | Safety of Branson West attraction question after leopard bite | 12/02/2004 | ||
| Missouri | Escape | Fence going up after cheetah briefly escaped yard at zoo | 08/14/2003 | ||
| Missouri | Escape | Lion on the loose in Morgan - Big cat escapes from troubled wildlife facility near lake; school alerts parents on bus route, cops search woods | 03/26/2001 | ||
| Missouri | Human Injury | Pet lion attacks 5-year-old boy | 12/04/1999 | ||
| Missouri | Human Injury | Omaha Wowed | 05/21/2001 | ||
| Missouri | Human Injury | Robber leaves 'pet' | 12/21/2000 | Link | |
| Nebraska | Human Injury | Tiger bites Omaha zoo veterinarian | 02/11/2009 | Link | |
| Nevada | Human Injury | Trainer bitten in MGM Grand lion habitat | 09/02/2010 | Link | |
| Nevada | Escape | Tiger Does a Disappearing Act From Las Vegas Magic Show... and Prowl's the City's Streets | 08/01/2009 | Link | |
| Nevada | Human Injury | Lion handler gets bitten at MGM | 12/12/2008 | ||
| Nevada | Escape | Man to surrender exotic animal license after panther attack | 10/23/2008 | Link | |
| Nevada | Human Injury | Roy of Siegfried and Roy critical after mauling | 10/04/2003 | Link | |
| Nevada | Human Death | Tiger Kills Animal Trainer | 03/26/2001 | Link | |
| Nevada | Escape | Part II: Lower Towamensing to debate allowing a backyard cougar | 09/23/2002 | Link | |
| Nevada | Escape | Tigers Spotted on Vegas Rooftop | 10/28/2002 | Link | |
| Nevada | Escape | Leopard attacks, injures zoo worker | 03/11/2004 | Link | |
| Nevada | Human Injury | Group rescues pet tigers, says private ownership should end | 03/02/2005 | Link | |
| Nevada | Escape | Panther Attack Worries Northwest Residents | 03/24/2008 | Link | |
| Nevada | Escape | 2 leopards seized from home's roof | 08/20/2008 | Link | |
| Nevada | Human Injury | Nye sued over tiger bite | 02/08/2002 | Link | |
| Nevada | Escape | Cougar jumps on bus | 01/26/2001 | ||
| New Jersey | Human Injury | Tiger Lady's Husband Gets Mauled | 10/12/2002 | Link | |
| New Jersey | Escape | N.J. Woman Defends Her Tiger Preserve | 02/01/1999 | Link | |
| New Jersey | New Jersey: Toms river: Tiger Owner Ordered To Pay Fees | 03/22/2004 | Link | ||
| New Jersey | Human Injury | Essex County Turtle Back Zoo orders lockdown after leopard eludes keepers | 09/05/2010 | Link | |
| New Jersey | Escape | Tiger on the Prowl Escaped from Farm | 06/29/1999 | ||
| New Mexico | Human Injury | Man Loses Finger, Zoo Visiting Rights | 05/18/2004 | Link | |
| New Mexico | Human Injury | White tiger cub removed from fair for biting | 09/14/2000 | ||
| New York | Human Injury | Tiger Attacks Little Boy on Opening Day of County Fair | 07/20/2006 | Link | |
| New York | Human Injury | Escaped tiger causes brief scare in NYC | 08/01/2004 | Link | |
| New York | Human Injury | Tiger, gator removed from Harlem apartment | 10/05/2003 | Link | |
| New York | At Long Island Home, Police Find Abuse Claim, and 2 Leopards | 05/31/2005 | Link | ||
| New York | Escape | Tiger caught after brief escape | 11/17/2005 | Link | |
| New York | Human Injury | Grandma's caged cougar mauls girl, 4, in Massena | 03/17/2004 | Link | |
| New York | Human Injury | Zookeeper bitten and clawed by leopard | 10/31/1999 | ||
| New York | Human Injury | Man mauled after jumping into tiger den at Bronx Zoo | 09/21/2012 | Link | |
| North Carolina | Human Death | N.C. boy, 10, fatally mauled by aunt's tiger | 12/16/2003 | Link | |
| North Carolina | Human Injury | Surry County teenager seriously injured in tiger attack | 01/25/2004 | Link | |
| North Carolina | Human Injury | Investigation Continues, New River Zoo Is Still Closed | 11/02/2006 | Link | |
| North Carolina | Escape | Tiger cub gets out of cage during training exercise | 04/24/2010 | Link | |
| North Carolina | Human Injury | Cougar Attack; Just a Big Mac to him | 11/20/1998 | ||
| North Carolina | Human Injury | Zoo owner pries worker's head from lion's jaw | 04/08/1998 | Link | |
| North Carolina | Human Injury | Playful leopard nearly kills trainer as 100 watch | 02/11/1998 | ||
| North Dakota | Human Injury | Boy, 5, Clawed by a Tiger at North Dakota State Fair | 07/31/1998 | Link | |
| Ohio | Human Injury | Pet cougar bites caseworker, perplexing police | 06/27/2012 | Link | |
| Ohio | Escape | Terry Thompson, Muskingum County Animal Farm Owner, Allegedly Killed Self After Freeing Exotic Animals | 10/19/2011 | Link | |
| Ohio | Human Injury | Suit Filed Over Cougar Attack | 09/07/2011 | Link | |
| Ohio | Human Injury | Ashville Game Farm owner indicted, arrested | 12/17/2010 | Link | |
| Ohio | Escape | Escaped Cougar 'Tasha' Found In Knox County | 08/06/2010 | Link | |
| Ohio | Escape | Lion gets Humane Society's attention in Pike County | 11/25/2007 | Link | |
| Ohio | Human Injury | Vet Attacked at L&L Exotic Animal Farm | 10/16/2006 | Link | |
| Ohio | Human Injury | Volunteer cage keeper attacked by tiger | 06/19/2001 | Link | |
| Ohio | Human Death | Ohio 'Liger' Mauls Keeper | 10/22/1992 | Link | |
| Ohio | Escape | Pet mountain lion mauls dog | 08/21/2003 | Link | |
| Ohio | Human Injury | Pet lion given away after woman attacked | 06/01/2004 | Link | |
| Ohio | Human Injury | Tiger attacks zoo keeper at Toledo Zoo | 05/11/2008 | Link | |
| Ohio | Human Injury | Pet Mountain Lion Bites Girl | 05/27/2009 | Link | |
| Ohio | Escape | Metroparks Zoo: Leopard briefly escapes from exhibit | 10/09/2009 | Link | |
| Ohio | Escape | Mountain Lion Sightings Reported in Ohio | 05/28/2010 | Link | |
| Ohio | Escape | Alleged lioness remains elusive | 04/29/2001 | ||
| Ohio | Human Injury | Big cats attack boy, Kenyon student | 10/26/2000 | ||
| Oklahoma | Human Death | Animal sanctuary worker dies after attack by ‘liger’ | 10/31/2008 | Link | |
| Oklahoma | Woman dies after attack by tiger | 04/03/2003 | Link | ||
| Oklahoma | Human Death | Woman dies after attack by tiger | 04/03/2003 | Link | |
| Oklahoma | Human Death | Leopard Kills a Woman At an Animal Sanctuary | 04/29/1997 | Link | |
| Oklahoma | Alleged abuse at GW Exotic Animal Park seen on tape | 05/16/2012 | Link | ||
| Oklahoma | Refuge Fire Kills Scores of Animals | 01/18/2008 | Link | ||
| Oklahoma | Human Injury | Park director injured by texas mountain lion | 04/01/2002 | ||
| Oregon | Human Injury | Couple wants Columbia County to impose ban on exotic animal | 12/14/1999 | ||
| Pennsylvania | Human Injury | Lake Tobias employee 'doing well' after suffering injuries from tiger attack | 08/12/2011 | Link | |
| Pennsylvania | Human Death | Circus Tiger Kills Its Trainer During Fundraising Event | 05/09/1997 | Link | |
| Pennsylvania | Escape | Oh, the cat came back | 05/04/2007 | Link | |
| South Carolina | Human Injury | Boy suffers leg bite from father's tiger | 04/28/2002 | Link | |
| South Carolina | Escape | Woman fined for failing to confine lions | 07/26/2002 | ||
| South Dakota | Human Injury | Alleged Zoo Tiger Attack | 01/26/2005 | Link | |
| South Dakota | Human Injury | Wild Animals Kept As Pets Can Pose Danger | 09/22/2000 | Link | |
| Tennessee | Human Injury | Memphis zookeeper OK after tiger bites him in leg | 05/24/2009 | Link | |
| Tennessee | Human Injury | Knox County Boy, 4, Clawed by Caged Exotic Lion-Tiger | 05/05/1997 | ||
| Texas | Human Injury | Child Mauled by Mountain Lion in West Odessa | 10/17/2011 | Link | |
| Texas | Escape | Anxious hours end in cougar's capture | 11/19/2010 | Link | |
| Texas | Escape | Pet tiger escapes, prowls Ingram area before capture | 01/18/2009 | Link | |
| Texas | Human Injury | Texas Man Recovers From Tiger Attack | 06/21/2006 | Link | |
| Texas | Human Injury | Texas circus worker bitten by Bengal tiger | 12/05/2004 | Link | |
| Texas | Human Injury | Sheriff deputies shoot escaped lion | 04/07/2003 | Link | |
| Texas | Human Injury | Wild Kingdom | 12/08/2003 | Link | |
| Texas | Human Death | Girl Killed by pet tiger | 06/08/1999 | Link | |
| Texas | Human Injury | Surgeons Save Little Jayton Tidwell's Arm After His Uncle's Pet Tiger Bites It Off | 04/03/2000 | Link | |
| Texas | Human Death | Catch Those Tigers | 02/28/2002 | Link | |
| Texas | Human Injury | Tiger Mauls San Antonio Zookeeper | 07/15/2007 | Link | |
| Texas | Human Injury | Volunteer bitten by mountain lion at Bastrop County Zoo | 01/23/2008 | Link | |
| Texas | Escape | Cheetah escapes at San Antonio Zoo | 02/25/2006 | ||
| Texas | Human Injury | Woman mauled in leopard attack at Wildlife Extravaganza | 02/12/2005 | ||
| Texas | Escape | Tiger escapes owners back yard, caught | 06/07/2000 | Link | |
| Texas | Human Injury | Victim of tiger attack making good recovery | 03/31/1999 | ||
| Texas | Human Injury | Owner attacked by pet lion | 11/20/1998 | ||
| Texas | Escape | Second of 2 Escaped Tigers Shot To Death | 11/10/1998 | Link | |
| Texas | Human Injury | Lucky stripes; Cougar trouble leads woman to tiger in need of home | 01/21/1999 | Link | |
| Texas | Human Injury | Relatives sue animal refuge after tiger attacks 4-year-old | 05/07/1999 | Link | |
| Texas | Human Injury | Family plans to keep tigers in wake of attack | 05/08/1997 | Link | |
| Texas | Human Injury | Man injured by tiger at animal orphanage | 04/28/1997 | Link | |
| Texas | Escape | Tiger takes morning stroll | 03/20/1997 | Link | |
| Texas | Human Injury | Part I: Darling-but dangerous | 06/22/1997 | Link | |
| Texas | Human Injury | Big cats and other wild reasons to dream | 01/19/2003 | ||
| Texas | Meow Mix: Texans Are Wild About Exotic Cats, but at What Cost? | 08/04/2000 | Link | ||
| Texas | Humane Society trying to find homes for 2 cougars | 02/09/2000 | Link | ||
| Texas | Human Injury | Part II: Darling-but dangerous | 06/22/1997 | Link | |
| Virginia | Human Injury | Tiger Bites Zoo Employee | 11/17/2008 | Link | |
| Virginia | Escape | More lion sightings in Chesterfield | 11/11/2008 | Link | |
| Virginia | Human Injury | A Growing Craze for Big Cats Has Led to Maulings and Deaths. Beware—It's a Jungle Out There | 12/08/2003 | Link | |
| Virginia | Animal Watch; Who Let the Cat Out? | 12/15/2002 | Link | ||
| Washington | Escape | Kennewick Thriving at Cat Sanctuary | 11/17/2005 | Link | |
| Washington | Human Injury | Boy bitten by tiger | 10/01/2005 | Link | |
| Washington | Human Injury | Suit against Cat Tales dropped | 04/04/2004 | Link | |
| Washington | Escape | Charlie Cougar’s Big Day Exotic Pet Escapes Cage; Roams Community For 2 Hours | 03/22/1997 | Link | |
| Washington | Human Injury | Pet lynx attacks woman inside Bellevue home | 05/04/2012 | Link | |
| Washington | Human Injury | Leopard claws zoo handler, banished from stage in favor of breeding | 07/26/2002 | ||
| West Virginia | Escape | Owner Shoots Escaped Tiger in WVa | 12/01/2008 | Link | |
| Wisconsin | Human Injury | Siberian tiger bites man in Wisconsin | 10/22/2010 | Link | |
| Wisconsin | Human Injury | Lion Cub Nips Girl in Pet Store | 01/22/2005 | Link | |
| Wisconsin | Human Injury | Big cats, heart rule on opening day of Riverfest | 07/03/2003 | Link | |
| Wisconsin | Escape | Vandals Release Cougars at Manitowoc's Lincoln Park Zoo | 12/01/2007 | Link | |
| Wisconsin | Human Injury | Cougar bites park maintenance worker | 07/12/2000 | ||
| Wyoming | Escape | Officials Tranquilize, Relocate Central Casper Mountain Lion | 09/30/2008 | Link |
Get the latest information on the Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act.
6.3.13 UPDATE: I’m pleased to report that the bill passed the State Assembly the eve of May 30 with flying Read more »
One of the milestones in our efforts to protect big cats in the US has arrived!
Today, in the House of Representatives, U.S Read more »
GO TIGERS!
This past weekend, I participated in the National Tigers for Tigers (T4T) Summit at Clemson University in Read more »
UPDATE: Since this posting, the Detroit Tigers organization has taken these photos down from its website and Read more »
The four month struggle to rescue 34 large cats has finally come to an end.
Last Friday, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Read more »
A video report on the mauling from Digtriad.com - CBS Affilliate WFMY News
Yesterday, a 26-year old female intern at Read more »
This past weekend, as a powerful blizzard pounded the Northeast with snow and ice, I hunkered down in my cold, powerless Read more »
On Dec. 20 2012, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio Eastern Division upheld Ohio's new exotic Read more »
Now that the election is behind us, I’m reminded that, no matter what party you support, we all need to take a Read more »
The sound of reassuring chuffs swirled in the evening air, mixing with buzz of mosquitos as the sun set in rural Indiana. Read more »
If you’ve been following the International Fund for Animal Welfare’s animal rescue work, you may remember a Read more »
Today marks the one-year anniversary of one of the most horrific exotic animal tragedies of all time.
On October 19, 2011, I Read more »
Next week marks the one year anniversary of the unforgettable tragedy that took place in Zanesville, Ohio when a troubled Read more »
It’s heartbreaking but true.
A private zoo in Dade City, Fla., is now allowing the public to swim, bottle feed and Read more »
A recent episode of Fox’s hit series BONES follows a farmer’s decision to purchase a tiger, which ultimately Read more »
On September 20th, the International Fund for Animal Welfare led a successful Congressional briefing on Capitol Hill to Read more »
Exciting news!
U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) has introduced S. 3547, the Senate companion to H.R. 4122, the House version Read more »
We are approaching the one-year anniversary of the unforgettable Zanesville, Ohio tragedy when a backyard exotic animal Read more »
Now more than ever, Congress needs to pass the Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act (HR 4122) to protect big cats and Read more »
Passing the Big Cats and Public Safety Protection Act would mean a general end to private possession and breeding of live lions, tigers, leopards, snow leopards, clouded leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, or cougars, or any hybrid of these species. Current owners of any of these big cats could continue possession of their animals as long as they register them with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The bill would provide exemptions for the following: Zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), wildlife sanctuaries (that do not breed or allow public handling of their animals), wildlife rehabilitators, some research and education institutions, and some travelling circuses.
