Ottawa River gator headed for eventual Florida release

5/19/2001

An alligator rescued Wednesday from the Ottawa River by two women has been turned over to the local reptile club with the aim of its eventual release in Florida.

"I'll be cleaning him up and using some antibiotic cream, getting him warmed up and fed," Sandy Allen, treasurer of the Toledo Herpetological Society, said.

The group wasn't concerned with the care given by the rescuers -Donna Kern and Maureen Fairbairn - but was concerned that the animal is illegal in Toledo.

In a few days, a friend of Miss Allen's who lives in Tecumseh will take the alligator for use in educational programs. Once permits are obtained, the reptile will be released in Florida. "You can't just drive these things down to Florida and turn them loose," Miss Allen said.