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June 18. 2012 9:24PM
The latest alligator found in Manchester's Stevens Pond is now in the care of New England Reptile Distributors in Plaistow. (COURTESY)
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Two teens catch alligator in Manchester pond
Second gator found in Manchester pond
The latest alligator found in Manchester's Stevens Pond is now in the care of New England Reptile Distributors in Plaistow. (COURTESY)
Two teens catch alligator in Manchester pond
MANCHESTER — A 2-foot alligator was discovered at Stevens Pond on Sunday, the second gator nabbed at the highway-side pond in about three weeks' time.
Manchester police said they were called to the pond about 5 p.m. Sunday for a report of a caught alligator. On May 25, two youngsters caught a similar-sized alligator while fishing in the pond.
“These are a couple that somebody just wanted to get rid of, I'm sure,” said Lt. Robert Bryant, a conservation officer with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.
The pond is bound by an Interstate 93 bridge to its northeast and Bridge Street Extension to its south.
The alligator is less than a year old, healthy and friendly, said David “Sully” Noel, who runs the reptile room at New England Reptile Distributors in Plaistow.
“It's definitely someone's pet, and they cared for him very well,” Noel said. Other alligators at the company are more aggressive, but the Stevens Pond gator won't bite even when a finger is dangled in front of its chops.
The animal could have gotten loose from a nearby enclosure, or the owner could have abandoned it, Noel said.
He said the Plaistow business has a small gator pond, where the alligator will end up. He said the alligator will likely be going on school tours, given its gentle disposition.
“We'll actually keep him. He'll stay here,” said Noel, whose employer is licensed to own alligators.
Since 2007, it has been illegal for most New Hampshire residents to own alligators, Bryant said. Possession or release of an alligator could result in a $1,000 fine.
Only licensed exhibitors and people who owned gators before the law went into effect can own the animals.
Noel said the animal is sexually immature, so he doubts any alligator reproduction is taking place at Stevens Pond.
He said alligators can't survive the New Hampshire winter. Temperatures of about 40 degrees put them into hibernation. Once a body of water freezes, they are trapped beneath the surface and suffocate.
Mark Hayward may be reached at mhayward@unionleader.com.
Manchester police said they were called to the pond about 5 p.m. Sunday for a report of a caught alligator. On May 25, two youngsters caught a similar-sized alligator while fishing in the pond.
“These are a couple that somebody just wanted to get rid of, I'm sure,” said Lt. Robert Bryant, a conservation officer with the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department.
The pond is bound by an Interstate 93 bridge to its northeast and Bridge Street Extension to its south.
The alligator is less than a year old, healthy and friendly, said David “Sully” Noel, who runs the reptile room at New England Reptile Distributors in Plaistow.
“It's definitely someone's pet, and they cared for him very well,” Noel said. Other alligators at the company are more aggressive, but the Stevens Pond gator won't bite even when a finger is dangled in front of its chops.
The animal could have gotten loose from a nearby enclosure, or the owner could have abandoned it, Noel said.
He said the Plaistow business has a small gator pond, where the alligator will end up. He said the alligator will likely be going on school tours, given its gentle disposition.
“We'll actually keep him. He'll stay here,” said Noel, whose employer is licensed to own alligators.
Since 2007, it has been illegal for most New Hampshire residents to own alligators, Bryant said. Possession or release of an alligator could result in a $1,000 fine.
Only licensed exhibitors and people who owned gators before the law went into effect can own the animals.
Noel said the animal is sexually immature, so he doubts any alligator reproduction is taking place at Stevens Pond.
He said alligators can't survive the New Hampshire winter. Temperatures of about 40 degrees put them into hibernation. Once a body of water freezes, they are trapped beneath the surface and suffocate.
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Mark Hayward may be reached at mhayward@unionleader.com.
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