Over 150 Crocodiles, Gators, Caimans Kept as Pets Rescued From Toronto Home
Over 150 Crocodiles, Gators, Caimans Kept as Pets Rescued From Toronto Home
More than 150 crocodiles, alligators and caimans were recently rescued from a man in the Toronto-area who had been keeping the reptiles as pets, according to the reptile rescue zoo that took in the animals.
The reptiles, which were all adults and between 4 to 11 feet in length, were taken and transported by 25 volunteers to the Indian River Reptile Zoo over a four-day period beginning last Friday, according to the zoo's curator, Bry Loyst. He added that the volunteers used four 26-foot-long trucks to transport the animals to the zoo.
"Interestingly enough, this individual phoned our rescue and told us he could no longer take care of the 150 crocodiles, alligators and caimans," Loyst told ABC News today. "I didn't really believe it, but when I went over there, sure enough, it was true."
Most of the animals, which the man had kept for over a decade, were inside aquariums they had outgrown in a fairly large garage, Loyst said. The reptiles were in "fairly good health," though many of them did not have "muscle tone" since they couldn't move around much in their aquariums, he added.
"He did the wrong thing by buying these crocodiles, he did not idiotic thing by buying 150 of them, but he did the right thing by donating the money and animals to a proper place that can care for them," Loyst said.
Luckily, the zoo recently added a new $1 million crocodile rescue building, which has over 100,000 gallons of water held in multiple pools, Loyst added, saying that many of the rescued animals would be housed there.
The reptile rescue's board of directors told Loyst not to share the identity of the owner of crocs, gators and caimans, he said. The man donated a "generous amount" to the Indian River Reptile Zoo, he added, saying that the zoo is the only accredited nonprofit reptile rescue in North America.
It is illegal to own crocodilia in Toronto, and after being issued an offence notice, the maximum penalty for keeping crocodilia is $5,000, a spokeswoman for the city told ABC News today. She added that more information about the rescue or owner was not immediately available.
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It is illegal to own crocodilia in Toronto, and after being issued an offence notice, the maximum penalty for keeping crocodilia is $5,000, a spokeswoman for the city told ABC News today. She added that more information about the rescue or owner was not immediately available.
I saw this on the internet earlier (I think on the BBC News website) and I was wondering where the hell did he keep them all? They must have all been caged or some of them would come after him I think. I'm glad they're in a sanctuary now though, so it's a happy ending for them.
I can't figure out WHY he had them???? I just don't understand why people want to "keep"' wild, exotic animals...... sigh
Pretty idiotic of him...The good thing that he did was call the rescue and had them come and get them. Than donating a large amount of money. He did the right thing.
The wrong thing was to have them in the first place.
I just don't understand why people want to "keep"' wild, exotic animals.
Machismo.
Unbelievable!!!!! Wonder if the neighbors are missing any pets?
I'm thinkin' bout having an Irish sounding screen name , something like Shaunessy O'caiman .
Wow it sounds like the guy must have some kind of pool and woodland area set up in the house and backyard.
Unbelievable
Kav "You can't fix stupid".
Randy....I'll bet he wasn't feeling very macho when he got busted!
Six.....I hope not!!!
I cannot imagine someone having 150 pets that are not the warm, snuggly kind. I mean, it would be very difficult to take a crocodile to bed with you and snuggle.
That being said, these animals deserve to be housed where they can move around and do whatever it is they do...
People never cease to amaze me with their stupidity!!
I mean, it would be very difficult to take a crocodile to bed with you and snuggle.
I should tell you about some of the dates I've been on...
People that do this are sick! IMHO!!
I should tell you about some of the dates I've been on...
Oh please do tell!!! 
I can't. You would think they were fiction.
So, you can relate to John Huston, when he said he had married a journalist, a ballerina, an actress, and a crocodile?
I can't find a video of it, but it was cute!
WTF was this lunatic thinking?
150 giant biting lizards?
I didn't think there were any Canadians this stoooopid!
There has GOT to be something wrong upstairs with people who keep these types of pets....AND have children in the same environment!!
I'll try to find it!! thanks Dowser!!