A fisherman at a lake in northeast Tennessee made an unexpected discovery when he reeled in a 3- to 4-foot long alligator. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency was alerted to the situation when the angler contacted them to report the unusual catch at Norris Lake. Upon arrival, a wildlife officer found the angler had managed to subdue the alligator by pinning it to the ground behind its head. The angler claimed to have caught the alligator using a swim bait.
Alligators are not native to this region of Tennessee and are classified as Class 1 wildlife species, meaning they are inherently dangerous to humans and can only be possessed by permitted exhibitors or commercial propagators. The TWRA took custody of the alligator and transferred it to Little Ponderosa Zoo and Rescue, an exotic animal rescue facility located in Clinton, Tennessee.
A TWRA representative stated that the origin of the alligator remains unclear, but it is evident that the animal was being held illegally in captivity and may have been released into Norris Lake. The zoo, which typically does not house alligators, is now actively seeking a suitable permanent home for the alligator.
