PHILADELPHIA – Animal Control officers removed two live alligators from a warehouse on State Road in Northeast Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Skyfox was over the scene as animal control officers removed the reptiles.
Philadelphia police say that they stumbled upon the animals when they were conducting an ongoing narcotics investigation. The two alligators are currently at the Animal Care and Control team facility.
Fox 29’s Julie Kim headed over to the Bucks County Zoo and spoke to Executive Director Joe Fortunato, a/k/a Jungle Joe to Good Day Philadelphia viewers.
In the past two years, Joe estimates they have been called approximately 3-dozen times to take in crocadilians, and, he adds, calls are coming in more frequently.
Most municipalities, like Philadelphia do have laws against housing some exotic reptiles without a proper permit. But, as Jungle Joe points out, “a lot of people have them, you would be surprised.”
If you are interested in getting a pet other than the standard dog, cat or hamster, Julie suggests doing your homework. Laws differ from county to county – so start with a call to your local animal control officer.