what......crocodile???

[Low rain]

Tom Badeau discovered the reptile when he was taking pictures of birds along the shoreline of the Hamilton pond.

TOM BADEAU

Jenni Dunning

Hamilton Spectator

Today, Bry Loyst is gathering some rope and packing up a boat. He’s going alligator hunting in Hamilton.

The Indian River Reptile Zoo curator was called to Hutch’s at Van Wagner’s Beach Road yesterday after a one- to two-metre creature was spotted by Tom Badeau, a local wildlife photographer.

Loyst is navigating a large pond near Barangas On The Beach today to trap the creature, with the help of the city’s conservation authority.

“All you need is a boat and some ropes,†he said.

“We might have to wait until nighttime. Their eyes shine really bright. It’s easier for locating.â€

Loyst said yesterday the creature is crocodilian, which means it’s one of the world’s 23 species of alligators and crocodiles.

He’s working with the city’s conservation authority to capture it.

Loyst first saw the reptile in Badeau’s photo—something dark and bumpy poking out of the water.

When Badeau took him and a conservation authority official to the site, he saw it for himself.

“I saw the eyes and nose way out in the lake with binoculars,†he said.

No one from the Hamilton Conservation Authority could be reached for comment.

The reptile should leave the water in the daytime to sun itself because the water’s so cold, but it’s no danger to people, Loyst said. That’s because the creatures only feed when the water is above 18 C.

“Obviously, it was someone’s pet. Hundreds and hundreds are brought in every year from the United States to be sold as pets.â€

Loyst regularly catches alligators, including in London last year, that are abandoned in lakes and ponds when they grow too big for owners to keep, he said.

When this one’s caught, Badeau said he wants to be there to get a real close up.

“Either me or the wife will be down there taking pictures,†he said. “When I first saw it, I just thought it was a stupid stick sticking up.â€

Badeau got suspicious when it disappeared underwater.

It wasn’t until his wife, Carla, enlarged the photo at home that they realized the animal was likely reptilian.

“I’m trying to figure out who in the heck could be that dumb to put it in that pond,†he said.

“(Finding it) really threw me for a loop.â€

If anyone sees the creature, they’re asked to call the Hamilton Conservation Authority at 905-525-2181.

[Davey Boy 2.0]

I blame Esau

[Esau.]

I blame Esau

:relax:

[Thorgnor]

Is that :relax: as in "See, my croc is right here," or is that :relax: as in "Don't worry. The water is still below 18C"?

[Esau.]

haha. That's Johnny, my friends American alligator and no worries he's still in his pen. Although he's bit bigger now.

[Davey Boy 2.0]

do you guys wrestle with it?

[Thorgnor]

What the hell else would you do with a gator?

[Esau.]

He's not big enough to wrestle yet..lol, only about 4ft. He does wander around the living room now & then, he's pretty tame. Although when the pythons are wandering around (pictured below) Johnny can't be out, he'd be dinner..lol

My buddy Russ has FB group, if you wanna see some of his other creatures check it out.. (he also tattoos)

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=133002695134&v=photos&so=45

[Schwa.]

[Davey Boy 2.0]

you could make a pretty cool bong out of that python

[Esau.]

you could make a pretty cool bong out of that python

Both of them..lol

[bradm]

you could make a pretty cool bong out of that python

"The Constrictor"

Aloha,

Brad

[Thorgnor]

"My lungs hurt!"

"But at least I look good."

Edited May 5, 2010 by Guest