In August, a concerned citizen contacted Montgomery County game wardens regarding a neighbor keeping an alligator in his back yard. The wardens responded to the home where the alligator was reportedly kept. The homeowner admitted to capturing an alligator 4 or 5 feet in length from Lake Conroe, transporting it home to show his kids and then releasing it the next day. The wardens inspected the property and noticed a room full of aquariums. Knowledgeable in aquatic species, one of the wardens identified the animals as freshwater stingrays, which are an invasive species and illegal to possess. Through further conversation, the homeowner also admitted to removing a small alligator snapping turtle from Lake Livingston and keeping it in a tank. As the largest freshwater turtle in North America and a threatened species, it is illegal to capture or possess one without a permit. After discussing the matter with the homeowner, he agreed to assist game wardens in relocating the animals to better suited facilities. The turtle was donated to the Spring Creek Nature Center, which is permitted to possess native species and display them for educational purposes. The stingrays were transported to Moody Gardens to educate the public about different ecosystems and the harm that invasive species can cause to local wildlife.
Original Article: http://www.dailynewsandmore.com/lifestyle/game-warden-field-notes-caught-on-camera/article_6c4e9888-4a05-11ec-8e13-57d3666e9134.html
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