American Woman Who Stole Crocodile Eggs and Raised Them in Her Backyard for 20 Years Faces Legal Penalties

Gator Grows to 2.4m at Home Near Texas Zoo
Authorities Say "Alligators Are Not Good Pets"

A crocodile egg stolen 20 years ago from a zoo in Texas, USA, has grown into an adult and was found at a nearby private residence, drawing attention.

On the 7th (local time), according to NBC and others, a woman in Texas was caught raising a crocodile in her backyard for 20 years after stealing the egg from the zoo and hatching it, and now faces legal punishment.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Game Warden Division posted on social media the day before, saying, "We would like to express special thanks to Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo for recently assisting with the crocodile's relocation," and shared a video of zoo staff moving the crocodile.

Previously, the zoo revealed that a large crocodile measuring 2.4 meters was being illegally kept in the backyard of a woman’s home about 80 km away from the zoo.

It turned out that the crocodile was raised by a woman who volunteered at the zoo over 20 years ago and took the crocodile egg in her clothing pocket.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department determined that the woman did not meet the requirements to obtain a permit for raising the crocodile. The department wrote on social media, "Crocodiles are not good pets."

The woman who raised the crocodile was charged with two misdemeanor offenses: illegal possession of a crocodile egg and possession of a crocodile without a permit. She may face a fine of up to $500 (approximately 650,000 KRW).

The crocodile has now returned to the zoo where it was born 20 years ago and is reported to have adapted well to its new environment. A zoo official said, "Strictly speaking, we are the rightful owners of this crocodile," and added, "The crocodile will spend the rest of its life here."

They also said, "We will invite the previous owner back here to make sure she knows the crocodile has a wonderful home at the zoo."