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THE CHATTANOOGAN (Chattanooga, Tennessee) 27 September 06 Alligator Confiscated in Bradley County (Richard Simms)
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency officers have confiscated an alligator from a man in Bradley County. Tenn., according to TWRA spokesman Dan Hicks.
Hicks says officers received a complaint and went to the unidentified man's home. The man admitted that he possessed what he THOUGHT was a caiman, a species which is non-native to the U.S. and is legal to keep as a pet. He said he bought it when it was small from somebody in West Tennessee.
Hicks said the man admitted to officers that as it grew (it's about 4 feet long now), it didn't really look like pictures he'd seen of caiman. Officers identified it as an alligator, which is illegal to possess without special permits.
Hicks said the man was very open and told officers, "if it's not legal, I don't want it."
They believed his story and are not pressing charges. Officers made arrangements for the Tennessee Aquarium to take the alligator. The reptile was transferred there Wednesday where it is currently in quarantine.
Since he was not charged, officers would not release the man's name. Hicks said the investigation is contining into the person in West Tennessee that allegedly sold the alligator.
Alligator Confiscated in Bradley County

"caimans" are illegal as well without the permits.