DAYTON DAILY NEWS (Ohio) 03 September 05 Alligator found in park destroyed - Officials can't find zoo to take animal (Joanne Huist Smith)
Yellow Springs: Park officials at John Bryan State Park shot and killed a small alligator found Friday morning because they could not find a zoo to take it.
The 33-inch alligator, believed to be a Cayman, was discovered about 0.2 mile from the Wingo Picnic Area by an Ohio Department of Transportation employee who was in the park inspecting a 1930s era bridge.
"This was probably somebody's pet that got too big for their aquarium. The owner probably just needed to get rid of it and they brought it here," said park ranger William Crum, who also is assistant manager for law enforcement for Buck Creek and John Bryan state parks.
Park office employees said they called the Cincinnati Zoo to see if officials there would take it.
Crum said zoo officials there were concerned the animal might be diseased and could infect the population there, so they declined.
Crum said the reptile would have gotten bigger.
"It's not natural for him to be here in the park," Crum said. "We have to worry about liability. He could have bitten a park visitor or a pet."
Alligator found in park destroyed