Gators found in Detroit temporary guests of conservancy
See you later, alligators.
Two baby gators, a male and a female, were found Thursday during a raid, according to Detroit police, who also reported finding one at a home on the city’s west side Wednesday.
They were taken to the Creature Conservancy in Ann Arbor on Thursday, said head curator Steve Marsh.
But they can’t stay.
The conservancy, which already has two alligators, is looking for a new home for the animals.
“If it takes a year, that’s fine,” Marsh said. “But we can’t care for three more alligators for decades.”
Alligators can grow to 12 feet or more and weigh hundreds of pounds, if not more, Marsh said. The average person can’t accommodate their needs.
“They’re cute when they’re babies,” Marsh said. “But most people can’t take care of them,” including using special lighting, heating and a lot of space.
“You can’t just go down to Kroger and buy alligator food,” Marsh said.
Alligators’ ready availability at local pet stores and online don’t prepare someone for the amount of work required, he said.
Detroit Animal Control responded to reports Wednesday about 4 p.m. of an alligator in a west side neighborhood, said spokeswoman Tamekia Ashford. They arrived to a home on Strathmoor and took control of the 2-foot-long alligator.
“We have no idea” how the alligator came to be in a residential neighborhood, Ashford said.
Two others were found Thursday.