Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I now have in my possesion 5 small american alligators. I'm looking to keep them but i live in louisiana. I called the FWS and they sent me an application it asks if they are wild caught or captive born ect.. Well my freind caught them and gave them to me and it asks for the name, address, ect. of the breeder and...there is no breeder it also asks for a receipt to show that te animal was not wild caught... so what should i do? The alligators are beautiful animals and i would love to keep them... and if i let them go...people aronud here will be having target practice for days .. so im stuck.. i dont have any idea what to put on the form. any ideas will be greatly appreciated.

So turn your idiot friend in who caught them illegaly.

Two wrongs don't make a right if they're in your possession, they've still been removed from ecosystem - they may as well have been SHOT!

Mr F.

Well if i release them instead of "might as well have been shot" chances are they will be. Around here people have no mercy for reptiles of any kind. And these are really magnificent animals and i would love to obtain a permit to keep them. but if it doesnt work out.. i guess i will be forced to release them.

Right now you have 5 small gators. In a year or two you will have 5 fairly large gators in your possession. Where will you keep them? Can you afford to feed and house them? Do you have the experience to maintain 5 gators when they are adults? Think about that before you worry about whether or not these little ones will be harmed in their natural environment...
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All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream.