While fishing at a lake in northeast Tennessee, a surprise awaited a lucky fisherman at the end of his line. When he reeled in, he discovered an unexpected catch – a remarkable 3- to 4-foot long alligator.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency received a call from an angler in Union County, informing them about an extraordinary catch at Norris Lake. Wildlife officer Rick Roberts promptly responded to the scene. Upon his arrival, Roberts discovered that the angler had managed to pin down the alligator, holding it behind its head. The angler claimed to have caught the alligator using a swim bait.
Alligators are not naturally found in that region of Tennessee. They are classified as Class 1 wildlife species, which means they are inherently hazardous to humans. Only authorized exhibitors or commercial propagators are allowed to possess them.
Matthew Cameron, the regional communications coordinator for TWRA, mentioned that the alligator has been transported to Little Ponderosa Zoo and Rescue, an exotic animal rescue facility located in Clinton, Tennessee.
Cameron said in an email that although the origin of the alligator remains unclear, it is clear that the animal was being unlawfully kept in captivity and may have been released into Norris Lake.
According to Cameron, the zoo typically does not keep alligators, so the staff is currently seeking a permanent residence for the reptile.
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