In an incident that's more bayou than Volunteer State, an angler on Norris Lake snagged an unexpected catch that turned out to be none other than an alligator. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) was alerted to the unconventional angler's tale on Monday afternoon after the fisherman, who was fishing in Dotson Creek, ended up wrestling a gator instead of the usual bass, as WVLT reports.
WVLT states that Union County Wildlife Officer Rick Roberts was called to the scene where the angler had the reptile pinned down; he confirmed it was an alligator, arrested it was between 3 and 4 feet long and afterward, it was immediately transferred to the Little Ponderosa Zoo and Rescue. In a statement obtained by WBIR, TWRA spokesperson Matthew Cameron underscored the seriousness of the finding, saying, "While the origin of the alligator is unclear, it is evident that it was being illegally held in captivity and possibly released into Norris Lake."
The possession of alligators in Tennessee is a legal no-no, these creatures are designated as a Class 1 wildlife species which means they're considered inherently dangerous to human beings, definitely not your friendly neighborhood pet. TWRA reiterated the legal and environmental hazards of harboring and releasing alligators into the wild; capturing one of these toothy reptiles, let alone releasing it, is not only illegal, but it also threatens both people and Tennessee's ecosystem, according to WIVK.
With the alligator now in the care of the Little Ponderosa Zoo, authorities continue to scratch their heads over how it got into Norris Lake but warn the public about the repercussions of possessing or releasing dangerous wildlife. TWRA's message is clear: heed the law, respect the local wildlife, and stick to fishing for fish, because the only thing you should be dragging out of Tennessee waters is a good story or a nice catch – not an apex predator like an alligator.
