A Taichung farmer was terrified to discover a small alligator lurking in his rice paddy last week, but was able to capture it with the help of his brother and hand it over to authorities.
The farmer, surnamed Chang (張), said that at about 6pm on Tuesday last week he was working in his rice paddy in Wufong District (霧峰) when he came across a “log-like thing” — later identified as a spectacled caiman — which he tried to kick away.
“The thing started moving around and I took a closer look,” Chang said, adding that when he realized the object was actually an alligator, he jumped in fright and ran from the field.
Photo: CNA, courtesy of Taichung City Government
He telephoned his elder brother, telling him to come over with a net so they could catch the reptile.
The pair put the alligator into an empty feed sack and took it to the Wufong Fire Department, Chang said.
Chang said he first saw the alligator in September last year and thought nothing of it because it was no more than 30cm in size, but its rapid growth to 60cm over the months caught him by surprise.
The alligator gave him “a hell of a scare,” he added.
Taichung Wildlife Conservation and Research Society chief of research Lin Wen-lung (林文隆), who identified the alligator, said that spectacled caimans are endemic to Central and South America, and they are often reared for their hides, which are used in making belts and handbags.
The alligator was likely intentionally abandoned or is an escaped pet, Lin said, adding that spectacled caimans are considered “good-natured” by alligator standards and do not usually attack people without provocation.
However, to avoid being subjected to a mauling, people should not approach any stray alligators that they see and should immediately call for assistance from their local fire brigade or agricultural agency, he said.
Chiu Shu-min (邱淑敏), head of the Taichung Agriculture Bureau’s forestry and natural conservation division, said it is legal to own spectacled caimans because they are not an endangered species; however, regulations consider them “non-indigenous,” and the alligator Chang caught would be “dealt with humanely” unless an owner comes forward to claim it.
If the bureau ascertains that the alligator was dumped, its owner is liable to a fine of NT$50,000 to NT$250,000 (US$1,580 to US$7,890) for breaking Article 46 of the Wildlife Conservation Act (野生動物保育法), Chiu said.
If it is determined that the abandonment damaged the environment, a fine of NT$500,000 to NT$2.5 million may be levied, she added.
Since last year, four alligators have been sighted in Taichung, including one in Dali River (大里溪) which was caught following a tip from a tourist fishing there, she said.
An ecological survey of the city’s water systems is ongoing, she added.
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