An eight-foot alligator that was taken from a Texas zoo 20 years ago by a volunteer who raised it as a pet has been returned to the zoo, officials announced.
Texas Parks and Wildlife officials found the massive gator in a home in Buda while investigating another case nearby.
The woman who stole the alligator had volunteered at Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo over two decades ago, and she had kept the alligator in her backyard as a “pet.”
It is believed that she either stole an alligator egg or hatchling from the zoo.
According to Jarrod Forthman, the director of Animal World & Snake Farm, alligators have nests of 50 to 60 eggs, so it would have been easy for someone to take an egg or hatchling home without anyone noticing.
Texas Game Wardens said that the alligator was healthy and well cared for but had outgrown the woman’s backyard.
The alligator, named Tewa, was returned to Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo on Friday, and a video of her swimming through a pond at the zoo was shared on Facebook.
The woman who stole the alligator will face fines of up to $1,000 for illegally possessing an alligator.
However, charges for stealing the animal are past the statute of limitations.
Game Warden Joann Garza said that the woman took the situation “a bit tough,” but she still needs to follow all of the rules and regulations in the state.
Texas law only allows people to keep alligators if they are farming, educating, or using them for zoological reasons.
Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo said that Tewa will live out her days in their care.
»Texas Parks and Wildlife officials discovered massive alligator in Buda, south of Austin«
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