Home sought for rescued gator

Wed., Jan. 2, 2008

Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

OLYMPIA – Gator the rescued alligator is resting comfortably at Thurston County Animal Services in Olympia, basking under a heat lamp and dining on baked chicken that is lowered to it with barbecue tongs.

A landlord at a Lacey duplex found the American alligator abandoned Dec. 13 by tenants who were evicted.

The alligator is about 4 feet long and is estimated to be around 4 years old.

Animal Services director Susanne Beauregard says she’s not sure of Gator’s gender. But officials are trying to find a home for the reptile at an animal refuge, and are looking at facilities in Anacortes and in Portland.

Animal Services has some experience with this type of rescue. In November, the agency took in a caiman and two alligator snapping turtles that were illegally being kept by a man who raised exotic pets at a residence in Thurston County.

Owning an alligator is illegal in Washington, according to a law that went into effect in July that bars people from keeping dangerous wild animals.

However, people who owned exotic animals prior to July were grandfathered in and may keep those animals for the rest of the animals’ lives.

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