Published: Tuesday, 8th July, 2008 12:00
Alice springs out
By David Knox
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Captured croc flies home
AN ALLIGATOR found during an illegal animal raid in Galashiels has flown off to the sun with holidaymakers.
The five-foot long reptile was discovered by SSPCA officers at the start of June when they searched premises in the town.
And the animal cruelty inspectors also uncovered a deadly rattlesnake.
It is alleged that both animals were being kept without the required licence.
And a report outlining the circumstances is currently being prepared for the Procurator Fiscal.
Both the Spectacled Caiman alligator – named Alice – and the Western Diamond snake were driven to the animal reception centre at Heathrow Airport.
And after spending a month at the airport Alice was yesterday flown out to the south of Spain where she will spend the rest of her life at the Crocodile Park in Torremolinos.
Doreen Grahame from the Scottish Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals told the Border Telegraph: “She was accompanied on her journey by two officers from the SSPCA to ensure she settles in well at her new home.
“Alice couldn’t be released into the wild as she could carry diseases that would wipe out populations of wild alligators.
“The raid in Galashiels was carried out by our covert team who acted on information.”
Spectacled Caiman alligators are notorious for their ferocious bites and are found in and around the swamps and rivers of South America and Central America.
Strict laws and licencing under the Dangerous Wild Animals (Scotland) Act 1976 govern the keeping of the creatures in captivity.
Torremolinos Crocodile Park is already home to around 300 crocs and gators as well a smaller reptile park and a bird reserve.
A spokesman for the centre in Spain told us: “We are sure that Alice will enjoy her life here.”
The SSPCA has already used the Spanish reptile refuge when they discovered an alligator in the boot of a car in Edinburgh four years ago.
Mrs Graham added: “Our staff often visit the park when they are in Spain on holiday and they are shown the alligator from Edinburgh by keepers.
“The warm conditions in Spain suit alligators and crocodiles.
“As a charity we are extremely grateful to British Airways for flying Alice out to Spain and also to the Crocodile Park.”
The captured rattlesnake, whose bite can kill a human within 20 minutes, will be kept in a special reptile zoo near London.
editorial@bordertelegraph.com
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