Tennessee wildlife agency helps rescue abandoned caiman found in Knoxville

Knoxville police officers got some help from Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency experts with wrangling an unexpected find.

On the morning of June 21, Knoxville Animal Control received a call about an abandoned caiman in a mid-sized aquarium left on the loading dock of a local business, a spokesperson from TWRA said in a press release.

Spectacled caimans are a member of the crocodile family, and can grow to a maximum of 8 feet in length, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. They live in a zone from southern Mexico to northern Argentina, but invasive populations have become established in South Florida, with isolated sightings further north. The spectacled caiman can move rapidly when threatened, but is usually immobile, resting on shores or partly in water.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency got the animal and delivered it to a facility that is experienced in handling caimans.

While it is legal to own caimans in Tennessee, captive wildlife owners should not abandon them, the release noted.

"Whenever exotic species are released into the environment, they can negatively impact native wildlife," said Captive Wildlife Coordinator Captain Rusty Boles. "Releasing captive wildlife is not only illegal, it’s very irresponsible.”

For more information on laws pertaining to captive wildlife in Tennessee, visit Wildlife Permits (tn.gov)

Liz Kellar is a public safety reporter. Email lkellar@knoxnews.com.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville police, state wildlife agency rescue abandoned caiman