Look what we had in Ohio!!!

**pitc9** · 09-30-2004, 09:42 AM

http://www.newsnet5.com/news/3772319/detail.html

Wildlife Officers Catch Marsh Reptile
Animal Is Believed To Be Caiman

UPDATED: 8:27 AM EDT September 30, 2004

MENTOR, Ohio -- Wildlife officers working in Mentor Marsh have bagged a mysterious reptile.

Slideshow: Marsh Caiman

The mysterious animal had been lurking around the marsh, NewsChannel5 reported.

Wildlife officers with the Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves said the animal is actually a 3-foot long caiman -- a reptile closely related to an American alligator.

They said the frisky creature almost tipped their boat over when they were trying to bring him in.

Mentor residents believe someone must have dropped the animal off in the marsh.

Officials wanted to catch the reptile before the cold weather set in.

The caiman will be kept at the nature center, then moved to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and finally taken to a refuge in Cincinnati.

**ramanth** · 09-30-2004, 12:29 PM

Wow! Ohio gators!

**snappy** · 09-30-2004, 12:56 PM

I saw this on the local news here in Central Ohio! How sad that this poor animal was probably dumped in this lake. But I am glad that he/she will be safe now! Guess the hurricanes blew more than rain up to Ohio....