These young gators were picked up illegally by a trucker passing through Louisiana and left with a friend in El Paso, Texas, who notified the Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife Rescue. Alligators are a protected or regulated species throughout their natural range, and that includes Texas. The recipient of these animals made a wise choice when he turned the animals over to the CDWR. He definitely saved the lives of the animals and, perhaps, some legal problems with state wildlife officials were avoided.

The animals are currently awaiting return to a more natural environment in southeastern Texas.

September 7, 1998. Biologists with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department have decided that it is not in the best interest of local animals to release these alligators in Texas waters. They could be carrying parasites or other diseases that could be transmitted to Texas alligator populations. The animals will be held by CDWR until they can be transferred to a zoological facility. The animals have grown from 14 inches in length to about 31 inches.

May 11, 2002. After blood tests to make sure the alligators were in good health, the animals were transferred to the El Paso Zoo to replace their animals that had recently died of complications of old age. At the time of the move, both animals were about 4 feet in length.

May 9, 2007. Both animals have now been at the El Paso Zoo for 5 years and are doing well. The pair turned out to be a "pair" - one male and one female. Both are now nearly 8 feet long and the zoo staff has noted some mating behavior. To the left is one of the pair, the male, basking in the morning sun.

Chihuahuan Desert Wildlife Rescue has received an additional 9 alligators since the above animals were relocated to the El Paso Zoo. Most came in through Texas Parks and Wildlife wardens who raided local pet shops and confiscated the animals that were being imported from Florida and sold illegally. We only hope that we can find homes for these that are as satisfactory as the animals described above.

Warning! Wild animals do not make good pets. Taking an animal from its habitat could lead to a stiff fine and even a jail sentence.