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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums150 Crocodiles Rescued From Toronto Home
http://www.care2.com/causes/150-crocodiles-rescued-from-toronto-home.html
by s.e. smith August 19, 2015 2:30 pm
Most people wouldnt be thrilled to have 150 crocodilians including alligators, caimans and crocodiles as neighbors. They might be quieter than riotous teens next door, but theyre much more dangerous, and its hard to keep a large number of exotic, dangerous animals in conditions that are healthy and safe for them in addition to those around them. Yet, illegal and unwanted neighbors were precisely the situation at an undisclosed home in Toronto for nearly a decade, where a couple originally purchased the animals for breeding before deciding to keep them, and then realized that they were ill-equipped to deal with their pets as they got larger. They asked for help from a local rescue organization and the animals were successfully relocated, but its a firm reminder that exotic animals do not make good pets, and good neighbors should report cases of suspected animal hoarding as well as illegal animals to authorities for investigation.
The situation started nearly two years ago, when the owners approached the Indian River Reptile Zoo to ask for help. They explained that they had originally purchased their collection as young animals, and they were running out of capacity to care for them as they took up more space and demanded more food. In exchange for taking on the animals and moving them to a more appropriate location, the facility asked the owners to agree to make a large donation to help them revamp and build out space to keep them, as acquiring a collection that large would put a significant strain on the resources of almost any rescue group.
Over the course of four days, 20 volunteers carefully packaged the crocodilians in construction tubes the safest way to transport them from the perspective of all parties involved loaded the animals onto four large trucks, and took them on a nearly 100 mile trip to the reptile rescue facility. Once the animals arrived, they had to be offloaded with equal caution to make sure that none of them were injured or frightened as they were released into a large enclosure with plenty of room to move around and enjoy enrichment like ponds and plants. The animals cant be rehabilitated for release into the wild due to concerns that they might carry disease or be unable to fend for themselves, so theyre stuck in captivity for life.
Authorities report that the animals were in remarkably good condition, suggesting that their owners felt some degree of responsibility despite hoarding large numbers of crocodiles and other animals in their home. The main health problem the animals face is lack of muscle tone, because they were kept in cramped conditions with limited opportunities to exercise. A balanced diet paired with more room for exercise should help address that problem, helping the reptiles rebuild their muscles and their strength.
FULL story at link.
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