With monkey on the lam, Florida neighborhood goes bananas

TAMPA, Fla. (Reuters) - Florida authorities vowed on Friday to capture a monkey last seen running through a Tampa neighborhood that they described as "three-foot tall, brown and fast."

A resident initially reported seeing a fleet-footed monkey running through a yard in the middle of a sunny Thanksgiving Day afternoon, Tampa police said.

An hour later, another caller spotted a monkey about a dozen blocks away, near a bridge on a road that is several miles (km) from downtown Tampa.

"There is no probable cause for this monkey's arrest, however, we will work tirelessly to apprehend him," Tampa police said in a Facebook post.

Both sightings occurred near Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo, whose officials told police that its monkeys were all accounted for.

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Authorities find 12-foot 'gator tied to tree near Hillsborough River - via Herp Digest

Will Hobson, Times Staff Writer

Thursday, October 24, 2013 8:08pm

Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission

Trappers and wildlife officials examine an alligator estimated at 12 feet and 500 pounds after it was found this week tethered to a tree outside an apartment complex along the Hillsborough River near Tampa.

TAMPA — Authorities are looking for the person, or people, who thought it was a good idea to tie up an approximately 12-foot alligator behind an apartment complex along the Hillsborough River.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission received a call Wednesday afternoon about children feeding and harassing an alligator in the river behind Rivertree Landing Apartments, 6909 Indian River Drive, just north of E Sligh Avenue near Temple Terrace.

When wildlife officers arrived, they found the alligator, weighing more than 500 pounds, tethered to a tree near the river.

Officers and a local trapper captured the alligator, which was later euthanized.

Any alligator that has been fed by humans is deemed a threat, according to agency spokesman Baryl Martin.

"Any time an animal is fed, especially an alligator, it begins to associate humans with food," Martin said.

Whoever tied up the alligator could be guilty of either attempting to take an alligator or possession of an alligator without permits — crimes that can be considered felonies under Florida law, Martin said.

He urged anyone with information about the incident to contact the wildlife commission toll-free at 1-888-

Poisonous toads threaten pets in Tampa - via Herp Digest

AP, 9/27/13 TAMPA — A Tampa dog is being treated for poisoning by a Bufo toad, a species known for its hallucinogenic toxins and increased activity during periods of unusually heavy rains.

The dog was “expected to recover because it was the second time this animal had a run-in with a Bufo toad and the owners knew what to do immediately,” said James Judge, a spokesman with Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners.

However, the incident — as well as the poisoning death of a Jack Russell Terrier in Temple Terrace last October — has area veterinarians warning pet owners about the dangers of the huge toads. That dog bit into a Bufo toad and was killed by the toxins.

The incident has area pet owners on edge.

Tampa veterinarian John Gicking said several cases of toad poisoning are treated every week during periods of increased Bufo toad activity.

Curious dogs and cats tend to lick or pick up Bufo toads with their mouths.

When this happens, the toad secretes a poison from glands on the back of its head, which causes the pets to have symptoms.

Symptoms of intoxication include “seizures, drooling, really red gums, pawing at their mouths, stumbling, heart arrhythmia, excitable behavior, pacing and trembling,” Gicking said.

Elephants and primates find surprises in their enclosures

TAMPA, Fla. - The Lowry Park Zoo held the annual Pumpkin Toss for some animals on exhibit. 

The toss is meant to stimulate the animals' minds and provide rewards for what would otherwise be a routine day. 

Read more and see video:

http://www.abcactionnews.com/dpp/news/region_tampa/elephants-and-primates-find-surprises-in-their-enclosures#ixzz2iSK1vFEe