Crickey! An Alligator Was on the Loose in Indiana

This certainly isn't something that you see often in the Hoosier State.

Most Hoosiers already know this, but alligators are not native to Indiana and are not typically found in the wild there. So you won't have to worry about coming across one while outdoors. That being said, while they are not native, there have been documented cases of alligators being found in Indiana, often due to being released from captivity or being kept as pets. Recently, officers in Indiana received a call about an alligator that caught them by surprise.

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Alligator Captured in Indiana

Officers receive a lot of calls each day, but this is one that doesn't happen often at all. The Jeffersonville Police Department said on social media that officers responded to a call from an early-morning driver Saturday morning about a 4-foot alligator on the loose. The Jefferson Police Department said:

Officers arrived on scene and safely secured the animal and transferred its care to a facility built to house these kind of beautiful creatures.

This image and situation is not AI.

The alligator was safely transferred to the Kentuckiana Scaletuary. According to WTHR, this isn't the first time an alligator has been on the loose in Jeffersonville. Last November, Jeffersonville Police responded to an apartment complex where a much smaller alligator was running wild. That alligator was also transferred to the Kentuckiana Scaletuary.

Speaking of the Kentuckiana Scaletuary, they recently posted on Facebook asking for the community's support to help cover the gator's veterinary bills, saying it'll cost about $500. You can check that out below:

Is It Legal to Own an Alligator as a Pet in Indiana?

Yes, in Indiana, you can legally own an alligator as a pet. However, certain rules and restrictions apply. Alligators are classified as restricted live wildlife, which means they require specific permits for ownership. Owning an alligator in Indiana means you need a specific primary and secondary living space, permits, a veterinarian that can care for the animal, and a proper diet, all of which can be pretty costly. Just make sure you don't let it get loose like the Decatur County alligator.