A South Florida Man is Fighting to Keep His Pizza Loving Pet Alligator

Coconut Grove, Florida  - A South Florida man is fighting to keep his male pet alligator, "Gwendolyn," that he has had for the past 47 years.

David Van Buren says he has kept the gator as a pet, and even took his pet to college.

"Once he was in the house, he didn't want to leave. I think it took us like three weeks to get him to go back outside. He was on the couch all the time, or in the bathtub," said Van Buren.

Now that he's gotten too large to roam around his backyard in Coconut Grove, Florida Fish & Wildlife officials are stepping in to take the 13-foot-long reptile.  Authorities received a complaint about the alligator and began to investigate.

"Unfortunately, Gwendolyn the alligator is not in the proper caging it is supposed to be," FWC's Lorenzo Veloz offered.

Van Buren feeds the alligator pizza and chocolate chip cookies  -- Chips Ahoy are apparently his favorite -- and says he'll do whatever he can to keep him.

There's no word yet on how long FWC will take to come to a decision, or where they would take Gwendolyn if they removed him from the home.








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Two Men Pulled an 8-Foot-Long Boa Constrictor from Beneath a Car

"They told me I better not get in my car," said car owner Katie Hauer

Two men pulled an 8-foot-long boa constrictor from beneath a car parked outside of a northeastern Pennsylvania medical building.

The Citizens' Voice in Wilkes-Barre reports the men pried the snake from a Mercury Mountaineer's undercarriage Thursday afternoon after one saw it wriggle underneath.

One of the men, herpetologist Cameron English, identified the snake as a red-tailed boa constrictor.

"They told me I better not get in my car," said owner Katie Hauer, who had been inside the Geisinger Kingston medical center in Kingston borough.

Hauer said she was told she may have transported the snake from where she lives to the medical building.

"I'm going to be checking under my car and around my car every single day now," Hauer said.

Rescuers said the snake appeared to be a well-fed pet. It was placed in a plastic container.

No one was injured and it wasn't immediately known who owns the snake.








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First Responders Called to a Sushi Restaurant After a Man Allegedly Threw a Giant Python on the Floor and Walked Out

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, L.A. first responders say they were called to a sushi restaurant on Sunday after a man allegedly threw a giant python on the floor and walked out.

“Probably one of the weirdest calls that I’ve ever heard us respond to,” LAPD Lt. John Gavin told Fox 11.

Police say the man had already showed up at the restaurant with a smaller snake earlier that night. When he started arguing with another diner, he was asked to leave.

So the man did – but then he came back, this time with a 13-foot python.

“Customers are yelling, ‘Get this thing out! Are you crazy,’” Jessie Davaadorj, a server, told KCAL 9.

Lt. Gavin said the suspect, who was later arrested, didn’t deny his involvement.

He said that “he was mad, and that he felt that was the only way he could get even,” said the lieutenant.

Thankfully, the fire department and animal control were able to safely corner the snake into a box.

Police say the man, who is homeless, has been charged with criminal threats from “using the snake as a weapon and threatening the patrons.”

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Central Florida Family Shocked When They Discovered an Alligator in Their Swimming Pool

A Central Florida family experienced quite the shock when they discovered an alligator in their backyard swimming pool.

The Lakeland homeowner got home around 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and went out to his backyard, where he noticed bubbles coming up to the surface of the water, according to Craig Lear.

When he realized a gator was in the pool, he called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Lear said. They sent a trapper to safely remove it.

The home is located on Osprey Landing Drive in the Eagle Brooke Golf Course subdivision.

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Florida's Everglades: 106 Invasive Burmese Snakes Were Killed, with the Longest Measuring 15 Feet

After a month-long state-sanctioned hunt for invasive Burmese Pythons in Florida, 106 snakes were killed, with the longest measuring 15 feet.

This year's annual Python Challenge enlisted more than 1,000 people from 29 states to cull the python population between January  16, - February 14.

A team of four killed a nearly a third of the overall tally with 33 pythons, taking home the $5,000 cash prize. They won an additional $3,000 for capturing the longest snake, clocking in at 15 feet.

The competition was started in 2013 by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in order to keep the creatures from 'posing a threat to native wildlife'.

FWC Commissioner Ron Bergeron said,  “Each python that is removed makes a difference for our native wildlife, and the increased public awareness will help us keep people involved as we continue managing invasive species in Florida.”

The python, which was once allowed to be kept as a pet, is believed to have been introduced into Florida's ecosystem in 1992 when they escaped from a breeding facility during Hurricane Andrew.

Researchers have predicted that there are at least 30,000 pythons in Florida's everglades, with some suggesting as many as 300,000 occupy southern Florida.

All the snakes captured in the Python Challenge were turned over to researchers who are trying to find clues to help control the population.

Some animal rights groups have blasted the event for the unethical way the snakes are killed.

While they are not opposed to the hunt itself, PETA President Ingrid Newkirk, said, “Pythons who have had their heads hacked off remain alive and will writhe in agony for hours if their brains are not immediately destroyed.”

“PETA is calling on Florida officials to stop authorizing snake decapitation and make it clear that this egregiously inhumane killing method is unacceptable.”

It has suggested the hunters use bolt guns and fire arms to 'instantly kill the animals'. It has also condemned the 'bounty like' system to reward the killing of snakes.

The Burmese python, a native of south east Asia, is “wreaking havoc on one of America's most beautiful, treasured and naturally bountiful ecosystems,” U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Director Marcia McNutt said in a 2012 report.

“Right now, the only hope to halt further python invasion into new areas is swift, decisive and deliberate human action.”

But the reptiles are notoriously difficult to find in the Everglades. In the first Python Challenge three years ago, around 1,600 hunters caught just 68, CNN reported.

The state's wildlife commission trained more than 500 people before the competition, teaching them how to identify, and locate, and capture Burmese pythons in a safe and humane way. 

Participants were also required to complete an online training module. 

In addition to the training, favorable weather conditions and a larger geographic area for the competition led to this year's success.

“We are excited to see so many people contribute to this important effort to conserve Florida's natural treasure, the Everglades ecosystem,” said Bergeron. “We need to keep this momentum going now that the competition is over.”

Team captain, Bill Booth, along with Duane Clark, Dusty Crum and Craig Nicks took home the $5,000 prize for first place for the team category after they killed 33.

The team of four also captured the longest python, which measured 15 feet and was awarded an additional $3,000.

Daniel Moniz captured 13 pythons, the most by any individual, and received $3,500.

Brian Wood, who owns All American Gator Products in Hollywood, Florida, pays up to $150 apiece for the snakes, about the same price he pays for python skins imported from Asia.

Florida holds an annual, month-long hunt for Burmese Pythons in an attempt to keep the snake's populations in control. This year's competition saw 106 killed, and a third of those will be turned into accessories.

FWC Commissioner Ron Bergeron, said, “Each python that is removed makes a difference for our native wildlife.” Pictured, Jake Wood removing a purchased python from a cooler.

The python, which was once allowed to be kept as a pet, is believed to have been introduced into Florida's ecosystem in 1992 when they escaped from a breeding facility during Hurricane Andrew.

Researchers have predicted that there are at least 30,000 pythons in Florida's everglades, with some suggesting as many as 300,000 occupy southern Florida. 

The 'invasive' animals have been blamed for the near 'complete disappearance of raccoons, rabbits and opossums' since their introduction.

Some animal rights groups have blasted the event for the unethical way the snakes are killed. PETA suggested hunters use bolt guns and fire arms to 'instantly kill the animals' rather than have their heads cut off.

The reptiles are notoriously difficult to find in the Everglades. In the first Python Challenge three years ago, around 1,600 hunters caught just 68, CNN reported.

The state's wildlife commission trained more than 500 people before the competition this year, teaching them how to identify, and locate, and capture Burmese pythons in a safe and humane way.

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A Callous Exotic Pet Keeper Dumped His Chameleon in a Garden Bin on One of the Coldest Nights this Year

A callous exotic pet keeper deserves bad karma for dumping a chameleon on one of the coldest nights of the year.

Throwing the strikingly beautiful reptiles away inside a bag was effectively a death sentence for the cold-blooded creature.

RSPCA inspector Zoe Ballard took the veiled chameleon to a specialist vets for treatment but there was nothing they could do and it had to be put to sleep.

The animal welfare charity is now appealing for information to track down the cruel reptile owner who left the animal in garden rubbish in Hastings at the weekend.

“The poor little chap was clearly very unwell and to be dumped in a bag in this cold weather is completely unreasonable and inhumane,” said Inspector Ballard.

“Like many other reptiles, chameleons cannot regulate their own body temperature so rely on the environment they are in to keep at the correct body temperature.

"They are also very susceptible to infection and they are more at risk when placed into a dank environment.”

The RSPCA is witnessing a rapid rise in the number exotic creatures such as snakes and lizards being neglected and abandoned.

Last year, it received 4,990 calls about reptiles, a 37 per cent increase over the last decade and a result of more flamboyant and fascinating creatures being offered for sale, particularly over the internet.

Sadly, for the animals, naïve owners quickly find out caring for snakes, lizards and other unusual animals is both expensive and requires thorough research and expertise.

“It is a possibility that the owners took on this animal but were unable to provide the care he needs and decided to dump him,” added Inspector Ballard.

“This poor chameleon was dumped outside in freezing temperatures and left for dead.

"This is a terrible thing to do to any animal but it is particularly harmful for a chameleon as they are very sensitive and will suffer when placed in an incorrect environment.

The fact that he could not be saved is evidence of that.”

Anyone with information about this chameleon or how he came to be dumped in the garden is urged to contact the RSPCA Inspectorate Appeal Line in confidence on 0300 123 8018 and leave a message for inspector Ballard.

                      The beautiful reptile was thrown into a garden bin.

      The chameleon was dumped on one of the coldest nights of the year.

               Chameleons cannot regulate their own body temperature.

There was nothing vets could do and the chameleon had to be put to sleep.

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Man Allegedly Pulls Up to Wendy's Drive-Thru Window, Got a Drink from the Employee, and Then Threw a 3-And-A-Half-Foot Alligator into the Window

A worker at a Wendy's drive-thru did when a customer allegedly threw a 3-and-a-half-foot alligator into the window at restaurant in Florida, according to an incident report, WPTV reported.

Joshua James, 23, of Jupiter, allegedly pulled up to the drive-thru window for his order, got a drink from the employee, and then threw the alligator into the restaurant, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission told the station.

James is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, illegally killing, possessing or capturing an alligator, and second-degree larceny petit theft, according to the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office.

The incident occurred at a restaurant east of Loxahatchee, Fla., in October, but James was arrested by U.S. Marshals this week, WPTV reported.

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A Florida Woman Was Walking Her dogs When She Spotted the 9-Foot-Long Anaconda Snake in the Grass

Leisa Remsberg let her two dogs out Monday morning to do what dogs do.

Gizmo, a Shih Tzu and Teddy a Poodle/Shih Tzu mix, dashed to the side yard to sniff out a large, shiny dark object.

"I wasn't thinking what it was, because it was so large," said Remsberg, who trailed behind her dogs.

A nine-foot-long green anaconda reared its head, veering toward the two pooches.

"It raised its head up like it ... like snapping at them ... like lurching at them to make them back off," Remsberg said. "I started screaming for the dogs right away."

Teddy hurried back into the house. Gizmo was still curious, brave or something else.

"He's the not-so-smart one," Remsberg said.

Remsberg dialed 911.

"I did not know what it was," she said. "I knew it was not good. I was just screaming, 'There's just this huge, huge snake!'"

Her neighbor thought it was a python.

He brought a shovel over to hold the snake down until officers could respond. He placed the snake in a container with a lid and a piece of concrete over the top to keep it trapped inside. Then, he took the snake to his yard.

Brevard County Animal Services secured the snake, ultimately handing the situation over to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Officers took the snake to a veterinary facility, which euthanized the snake, for research purposes.

Wildlife officers are trying to determine where the snake came from, said Greg Workman, spokesman for the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

They did not find the legally required microchip in the snake, he said.

"Basically, it wasn't there legally," Workman said. "They're a top predator. They get huge. They can really decimate an area."

It's the second anaconda to pop up in Brevard County, Fla., in the past few months.

In late November, state wildlife officers shot and killed a 9-foot-long green anaconda near the St. Johns River at the Brevard – Orange County line.

Green anacondas are native to South America and can grow to more than 500 pounds and 20 feet long. In Florida, the snake poses a risk to native wildlife.

Remsberg, a real estate agent at SunCoast Real Estate Group, is living in the home temporarily, awaiting a new home to be completed.

The snake's removal was a relief, especially to Gizmo, Teddy and the four chihuahuas next door.

"It was definitely crazy," Remsberg said.

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A Man in South Suburban Lansing Kept a 200 Pound Alligator at His House for Over Two Decades

A man in south suburban Lansing kept an alligator at his house for over two decades without neighbors knowing, according to authorities.

The 6-foot-long alligator spent most of its 26 years in a cage of the basement of Charles Price’s house, according to Illinois Department of Natural Resources Spokesperson Chris Young.

However, Price "put it out periodically in his back yard. No one knew he had it, no one had ever seen it,” IDNR Sgt. Bill Shannon told The Chicago Tribune Saturday.

The animal was noticed earlier this month by an appliance repairman who had been working in Price's basement, Young said. The worker noticed something moving in a covered container, so he lifted the cover, took photos of the reptile and contacted Lansing Police Department's animal control.

Shannon got word of the alligator and contacted conservation police Officer Roberto Macias and an alligator specialist known as "Bob."

"It was every bit of 200 pounds," Shannon told the Tribune.

Lansing police Chief Dennis Murrin Jr. also told the publication: "In 25 years, I've never had anything like it.”

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The Recent Death of a Beloved Turtle Has Caused the Entire Country of Vietnam to Mourn

According to the New York Times, media outlets in Vietnam are reporting that the giant turtle known as Cu Rua, which translates to Great Grandfather despite being female, has died.

The event happened about a week ago, and while it is unknown exactly how old the animal was, the cause is believed to be natural.

The death is particularly meaningful to the Vietnamese who believe she was the incarnation of a sacred figure from the 15th century.

The spiritual connection is significant, with one local noting, "People say the turtle's death is bad luck, and a way for the gods to show that something's about to happen."

Cu Rua was also only one of four known members of the Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtles species to still be alive on Earth.

The dwindling number of survivors is a concern for conservationists who have tried—but thus far failed—to propagate the species in order to prevent extinction.

The animal's remains will be embalmed and eventually displayed.

Vietnam Mourns Death Of Sacred And Rare Giant... by GeoBeats

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If You Thought ‘Snakes on a Plane’ Was Bad: Thief Caught on Surveillance Video in Pet Store Putting Python Snake in His Pants

Portland, Oregon - Police in Portland are investigating an unusual theft after surveillance video shows a man at a pet shop stick a 2-foot python down his pants.

In the video, a man can be seen walking into 'A to Z' Pets on Friday and over to the python's tank.

  The man reaches into the tank and takes out the snake then quickly drops it into his pants.

The man then waddles out of the store.

"He's lucky it wasn't feeding day, feeding days are on Mondays. And they're very hungry," said owner Christin Bjugan. "Anytime anything like this happens, it's very frustrating. We work very hard to make a living and run the business."

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Warns: Pet Turtles Can Carry Salmonella

Little turtles are popular pet substitutes for families whose children are allergic to cats and dogs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), however, warns the public that the animals can cause salmonella

In 2006, health officials recorded the first multistate salmonella outbreak in the US, which included four cases. From that year until 2011, authorities investigated four more outbreaks, which entailed 394 cases. One of the outbreaks was said to have claimed the life of a 3.5-week-old baby, who was exposed to a tiny turtle

Numbers Linking Salmonella Outbreaks and Turtle Exposure

For the current research, the scientists studied eight outbreaks of salmonella related to small turtles from 2011 to 2014. The total number of cases was 473 and it included those from Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

The findings showed that children aged below 18, below 5, and below 1 made up 74 percent, 55 percent, and 23 percent of all cases respectively.

For race and ethnicity, Hispanics made up 45 percent of the cases.

Out of the patients who got infected, 28 percent required hospitalization, which commonly ran for three days.

The results of a turtle exposure questionnaire for 102 cases revealed that 80 percent had turtles at home. Almost two-thirds of the patients in this category had direct exposure to a turtle or in its habitat within the week of symptoms onset. About one-third of infants and children aged below 5 also exhibited the same findings.

How Turtles Are Associated with Salmonella

CDC warned that the bacteria may be present even if it's not seen. Salmonella can be found naturally in the gut of turtles and even if the bacteria are there, the animals do not necessarily exhibit signs and symptoms of infection. Aside from that, turtles do not shed the bacteria all the time hence, even if a turtle tested negative in diagnostic investigations, it does not confirm an infection-free state.

In homes, salmonella may be detected in surfaces and waters that turtle have had contact with. In one of the cases encountered by the researchers, a baby was infected with salmonella because feeding bottles were washed in a sink where a pet turtle habitat was also cleaned.

"All turtles - healthy and sick, big and small - can carry Salmonella," said lead author Dr. Maroya Walters from CDC.

Experts Advise Against Having Turtles as Family Pets

The researchers acknowledged that they were not able to track all turtles for sale because it is often illegally sold in unregulated locations such as street events and flea markets. Despite this, Dr. Elizabeth Barnett, from Boston University School of Medicine who wasn't involved in the study, believed that the authors were able to convey the importance of deviating from the idea of having turtles as pets.

"Turtles and other reptiles shouldn't be kept at home or school or any other facilities where there are children under the age of 5," said Walters.

Government Ban on Pet Turtles

Since the 1970s, the U.S. government has banned selling turtles with shells that measure less than 4 inches. Although the ban and risks information were widely advocated, salmonella outbreaks continued to increase.

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2-Year-Old Boy Found in Filthy Home with Dozens of Dead and Dying Animals

Gray Court, South Carolina - A 2-year-old boy remains in the hospital in critical condition after he was found unconscious in a filthy home with dozens of dead and dying animals, Laurens County authorities said Wednesday.

Authorities charged Savannah Victoria Morgan, 25, of Gray Court, with three counts of child neglect and one count of child abuse and cruelty to animals, according to arrest warrants.

On Tuesday evening, deputies were called to a home where they noticed “deplorable living conditions and a foul odor within,”  according to an incident report.

Animal Control officers seized nearly 90 animals from the scene Tuesday night. The list of deceased animals included 48 rats, 11 gerbils, 10 python snakes, six tarantula spiders and two bearded dragons.

Warrants allege Morgan exposed a 2-year-old to physical abuse, causing the boy to suffer medical injuries such as bleeding in the brain and bruising to the head, neck and back.

The child was airlifted to Greenville Memorial Hospital, authorities said.

The boy’s mother originally told deputies that he choked on some chips and that she called 911 when she went into his room and saw he wasn’t breathing, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Two other children were taken into emergency protective custody due to suspected physical abuse, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies said they saw soiled diapers, clothing, feces, trash and broken glass on the floor and numerous live and deceased animals kept in plastic bins and cages. Two emaciated dogs were found chained up behind the residence and had no food or water, one report said.

Morgan is being held at the Laurens County Detention Center, where jail officials said her bond was set at $85,000.

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Washington, DC - Love Turtles? Come Adopt Red, Teal, Orange, Blue, Slippy or Philly Today – Washington Humane Society

Radical news! We have a bunch of totally tubular turtles waiting for forever homes at our New York Avenue Adoption Center right now. Adopt Red, Teal, Orange, Blue, Slippy, or Philly today!

Blue

Animal ID: 28599041

Species: Reptile

Age:  

Sex: Unknown

Color: Brown/Black

Declawed: No

Site: Washington Humane Society

Teal

Animal ID: 29312140

Species: Reptile

Age:  

Sex: Female

Color: Green/Brown

Declawed: No

Site: Washington Humane Society

Orange

Animal ID: 29569011

Species: Reptile

Age:  

Sex: Male

Color: Green

Declawed: No

Site: Washington Humane Society

Slippy

Animal ID: 29791299

Species: Reptile

Age:  

Sex: Female

Color: Black/Green

Declawed: No

Site: Washington Humane Society

Nam

Animal ID: 30209351

Species: Reptile

Age: 2 years 28 days

Sex:  Unknown

Color: Brown/Yellow

Declawed: No

Site: Washington Humane Society

Comet

Animal ID: 30285226

Species: Reptile

Age: 1 year 17 days

Sex: Male

Color: Brown

Declawed: No

Site: Washington Humane Society

Vixen

Animal ID: 30285230

Species:  Reptile

Age: 1 year 17 days

Sex: Male

Color: Brown

Declawed: No

Site: Washington Humane Society

Red

Animal ID: 29289234

Species:  Reptile

Age: 1 year 4 months 10 days

Sex: Male

Color: Green

Declawed: No

Site:  Washington Humane Society

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