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DAILY NEWS (Brooklyn, New York) 18 May 08 All of a sudden, Brooklyn is caiman island with park discovery (Lisa Colangelo)
They're cold-blooded, grumpy and have a lot of teeth - not exactly the ideal city pet. In fact, it's illegal to own a caiman in New York.
But a jogger running through Spring Creek Park told authorities he stumbled upon a trio of the reptiles, which resemble small crocodiles.
He brought them to Animal Care and Control's Brooklyn shelter Friday afternoon, saying he didn't know where they came from.
Animal control officials were skeptical of his story but happy to see the animals were in good shape. "They are in excellent condition," said Ruth Allen, manager of the Brooklyn shelter.
Animal control usually winds up with four or five caimans a year. People often get the animals as a novelty pet. As they get older and tougher to manage, owners sometimes neglect or dump them.
Allen said the Spring Creek caimans will be taken to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, who will transport them to an upstate sanctuary.
Although New Yorkers can't adopt the homeless creatures, Allen encouraged animal lovers to consider taking in the cats and dogs waiting at city shelters. For more information and locations, check the AC&C Web site at www.nycacc.org.
All of a sudden, Brooklyn is caiman island with park discovery

they look like gators to me