INDEPENDENT RECORD (Helena, Montana) 09 August 06 Alligator takes up residence in pond; FWP cites owner
Kalispell (AP): Authorities here have cited the owner of an alligator that was killed after it apparently got loose from its pen and ended up in a local fishing pond.
Rod Nelson was cited under a state regulation that prohibits the release into the wild of any wildlife from outside the state.
Tim Feldner, manager of commercial wildlife permitting for the state Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, said Tuesday that Nelson faces a fine ranging from $50 to $1,000, to be determined by a judge.
Anglers spotted the alligator on July 31 in the Shady Lane Pond, a popular local fishing hole. A sheriff’s deputy eventually had to kill the alligator because of wounds it suffered from bystanders. One man apparently shot the alligator with a bow and arrow, while others beat it with sticks and one person attempted to slit the animal’s throat.
Feldner said Nelson told authorities his alligator apparently got out of its pen while he was out of town. Nelson contacted authorities when he returned and heard news accounts of what happened, Feldner said.
FWP investigator Brian Sommers urges people to report any exotic wildlife to FWP or to their local sheriff’s office.
‘‘In this case, we could have handled the problem more effectively if the sighting of the alligator had been reported immediately,’’ he said.
Alligator takes up residence in pond