UPDATE: After media reports about the discovery of an alligator named Fluffy, the owner reached out to the Animal Rescue League to reclaim the reptile. Fluffy had been found along Antietam Creek in Exeter Township by a landscape crew. The Animal Rescue League had been holding Fluffy with plans to turn it over to the Venom Institute in Schuylkill County.
The owner, whose identity was not disclosed by the Animal Rescue League, stated that Fluffy went missing during flash flooding caused by a severe storm that occurred in the county the previous month.
Upon examination by a reptile expert from the Venom Institute, Fluffy was found to be underweight and exhibiting deformities around her mouth, likely due to being kept in an inappropriate enclosure. The expert provided the owner with a list of instructions that must be followed to care for Fluffy properly, with the risk of losing possession of the alligator if not adhered to. The Animal Rescue League's animal protection officers will perform wellness checks to ensure compliance with these instructions.
The incident highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership and adherence to laws and regulations regarding the care and release of animals. While alligators can be kept as pets in Pennsylvania, it is illegal to release them into the wild. The community is encouraged to find legal and humane ways to relinquish animals if they can no longer care for them, as releasing them into the wild can pose risks to both the community, the environment, and the animal itself.
EXETER TWP--A surprising discovery occurred along Antietam Creek in Exeter Township, Berks County, on Wednesday morning, leaving locals puzzled. Among the expected sightings of small fish, crayfish, frogs, ducks, and dragonflies, a 2 1/2-foot-long alligator was spotted near Butter Lane, creating a stir in the community.
2 1/2-foot-long alligator discovered along Antietam Creek in Exeter Township on Wednesday morning. (Courtesy of Exeter Township Police Department)
The unusual find was made by a group of landscapers who were taken back by the unexpected reptile in the creek. Reacting swiftly, they captured the alligator and promptly alerted the Exeter Township Police Department for assistance.
Officers arrived on the scene, safely secured the reptile, and took it back to the police station.
At the station, the alligator was temporarily placed in a plastic tub within a repurposed jail cell while authorities awaited the arrival of the Animal Rescue League of Berks County. The alligator appeared to be in good health, which was reassuring for Lieutenant Sean Fullerton, the Exeter Township Police Department's public information officer.
According to Jose Joel Delgado-Rivera, Chief Communications Officer of the Animal Rescue League, a reptile expert from the Venom Institute in Schuylkill County will take custody of the alligator.
Despite the successful capture of the alligator, the question of how it ended up in the creek remains unanswered. Lieutenant Fullerton urged the community to remember that while alligators can legally be kept as pets in Pennsylvania, releasing them into the wild is strictly prohibited.
He emphasized that people should explore alternative, legal, and humane ways to relinquish animals if they are no longer able to care for them. Releasing exotic animals into the wild poses risks to both the local environment and the animals themselves.
As the investigation continues to determine the alligator's origin, the community is reminded to be mindful of the importance of responsible pet ownership and to support efforts to protect local wildlife and habitats.