A Southeast Texas homeowner admitted to law enforcement that he captured an alligator and took it home to show his kids. But that’s not the only illegal creature he was found to have in his possession, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Game Wardens.
Officials said the incident happened in August when the homeowner caught a 4- to 5-foot-long alligator in Lake Conroe.
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A concerned citizen reported the alligator to authorities and said the man was keeping it in his backyard. When officials came to investigate, the man confessed to the alligator’s capture but said he had released it the next day.
However, he wasn’t in the clear just yet, as officials eventually came across “a room full of aquariums” in his home.
The aquariums reportedly housed freshwater stingrays and a small alligator snapping turtle -- all of which are illegal to possess.
“As the largest freshwater turtle in North America and a threatened species, it is illegal to capture or possess one without a permit,” Game Wardens said in a release.
The homeowner agreed to assist authorities in relocating the animals to “better-suited facilities.”
Game Wardens say the turtle was taken to the Spring Creek Nature Center and the stingrays are being housed at Moody Gardens.
It’s unknown if the homeowner will be charged at this time.