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E-mail This StoryA baby alligator was found in poor condition at an apartment complex located at Shiloh and 14th Street.
Animal Services transported the alligator to the Plano Independent School District’s Bill Holifield Science Center for care.
Jamey Cantrell, Animal Services manager said a veterinarian discovered the alligator had Metabolic Bone Disease, a condition they get when they are not fed the proper diet and are deprived of the proper amount of nutrients and calcium.
“Their bones become brittle and since they have such a slow metabolism, it will take awhile for the alligator to recover from it,” Cantrell said. “They don’t know how long the recovery will take at this point.”
The staff at the science center is treating the alligator by providing the proper food.
Once the alligator recovers, Cantrell said they will send it off to properly be taken care of, but at this time, he said, they do not have a place in mind.
Cantrell believes the alligator was someone’s pet and because it was used to being hand fed it was not familiar how to hunt and eat.
“It was very malnourished,” Cantrell said. “It was not being cared for properly. It was not happy to get caught, but it wasn’t able to make a get away because of its condition.”
At this time, the owner has not come forth, but Cantrell said that was common.
“People can receive citations for possessing illegal animals,” Cantrell said. “We will also call the game warden and they can face different penalties from them other than just fines.”
Cantrell said native and wild animals, such as alligators will never make a good pet.
“People get them and think it’s neat and cool and realize they don’t know what they are doing. “Dogs and cats have been domesticated for 1,000 years so they make suitable pets,” Cantrell said. “Alligators will never be a good pet. One mistake and the owner will pay a dire price. If they get a hold of you it will be easy for you to lose a limb. They are hunters. It does not matter how you raise them.”
The alligator was approximately 2.5 feet long and estimated age was one year old.
Animal Services would like to remind citizens if anyone encounters a wild or native animal leave it alone and contact the department at 972-768-4360.
Contact Stephanie Flemmons at sflemmons@acnpapers.com
