TWRA Captive Wildlife Coord. Capt. Rusty Boles holds a Spectacled Caiman that was abandoned behind a Knoxville business last week. This caiman species can grow up to eight feet in length posing a threat to human safety and native wildlife.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency responded to a request for assistance Wednesday from the Knoxville Police Department. Knoxville Animal Control received a call around 8:30 a.m. of an abandoned caiman, a crocodile species, in a mid-sized aquarium left on the loading dock of a local business. TWRA coordinated with KPD to take possession of the animal and deliver it to a facility that is experienced in handling caimans.
While it is legal to own caimans in Tennessee, TWRA is reminding captive wildlife owners to not abandon them, as doing so poses serious safety and biological threats to humans and the ecosystem.
Captain Rusty Boles, TWRA Captive Wildlife coordinator, says, “Spectacled caimans, which may grow up to eight feet in length, pose a serious threat to human safety. Whenever exotic species are released into the environment, they can negatively impact native wildlife. Releasing captive wildlife is not only illegal, it’s very irresponsible.”
Captive wildlife also poses a safety threat to local law enforcement officers who are often called to the scene where exotic animals are present. "When kept in non-native environments, this type of wildlife presents a legitimate potential danger to law enforcement and the general public,” says KPD Public Information Officer Scott Erland. “It's important that these animals are possessed by responsible and knowledgeable individuals who understand the inherent risks and care they require."
For more information on laws pertaining to captive wildlife in Tennessee, visit Wildlife Permits.