An alligator was found in Kentucky Lake this weekend
Photo via Rob Terrell/WPSD Local 6.
Memorial Day Weekend is one of the biggest boating weekends of the year, and boaters and swimmers at Kentucky Lake got quite a shock on Saturday when a three-foot alligator was found near the paddleboat area of Kentucky Dam Marina. According to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officials, the alligator was likely injured by a boat propeller and was able to crawl out of the water but died before they arrived on the scene.
PHOTO: Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (via West Kentucky Star)
Officials believe the alligator was dumped at the lake by someone who kept it as a pet. Kentucky law forbids the transportation of alligators, who are not native to the state and cannot survive in water colder than 40 degrees. According to WBKO, in January 2018, an alligator was found dead in the Cumberland River in Harlan County, and in 2015, a three-foot gator was found living in Skaggs Creek near Barren River Lake.
After watching “Tiger King,” I shouldn’t be surprised that people keep wild animals like alligators as pets, but dumping one in a lake knowing it can’t survive is downright cruel.
[LEX18]
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