Reward Rises To $850
by Thaddeus Flint
The reward for a missing alligator in New Lebanon has now reached $850 according to Town Animal Control Officer Wes Powell Wednesday. The alligator, who goes by the name Kobe, disappeared August 21 from the home of Rhonda Leavitt, located near Mill Road and Route 20. [private]Kobe is 39 inches long and weighs 16 pounds. Leavitt, a State licensed wildlife rehabilitator, first thought that Kobe had escaped from his cage after a cleaning.
Powell, the NY State Police, and officers from the New York State Department of Conservation have made an extensive search of the area surrounding Leavitt’s property.
“I think I have probably searched about 40 hours by now,” said Powell. “I put waders on and walked [in the Wyomanock Creek] from her house down to almost the hardware store.”
That search was most likely overly comprehensive. Powell says alligators rarely move more than 100 yards from their homes. They eat every couple of days and would normally return to the place where they know food is. Kobe has never eaten live food and so would be dependent on feedings by his owner. “I’ve been doing a lot of research on alligators lately,” said Powell.
After initial searches failed to turn up any sign of Kobe, an expert was brought in. “A gator tracker,” said Powell, joined the search Saturday. “I’m not sure why there is a gator tracker in New York,” said Powell. Whatever the reason, the gator tracker was unsuccessful in tracking Kobe. The reward, in the meantime has climbed.
Leavitt initially put up $200 of her own money. Friends and local businesses quickly followed suit, and the reward has been growing ever since. “It’s been really nice of them,” said Leavitt Wednesday, “They know how much he means to me.” Leavitt not only re-habilitates reptiles but shows them as well. After seeing how popular the animals were with children she opened Rhonda’s Reptiles, which brings Kobe and other creatures, such as pythons and iguanas, to birthday parties and schools. “If just one person is able to lose his or her fear of these amazing animals, it is well worth the time and effort,” Leavitt writes on her web page.
Alligatornapping
The latest theory in the Kobe tale is the possibility that Kobe has been stolen.
“We have exhausted every other possibility,” said Leavitt. The tracker examined Kobe’s cage, and it was his belief that there was no way an alligator could have escaped not only the enclosure but the room. Even if Kobe did make it outside, “he would have stayed around.”
Powell agrees. “It just doesn’t seem possible,” he said. “He’s definitely not out there in the woods.”
The State Police are now investigating the possible alligatornapping.
“They do have a person of interest,” confirmed Powell. “I’m thinking it [Kobe] is now on the black market.”
Powell explained that since both New York and Massachusetts require individuals to have a permit in order to keep alligators, acquiring one in this area is not so easy. By making the process difficult it has made black market alligators more valuable.
“The likelihood is that somebody took him,” Leavitt said tearfully. “Hopefully he will turn up.”
The search continues. If Kobe is still outside he will be looking for sun and water. Kobe is not considered dangerous. “A kitten would scare it,” said Powell, but Leavitt cautions that nobody should approach him if they spot him, as he will run away. Kobe is wearing a blue collar.
Anyone with information on Kobe should contact Leavitt at 413- 446-1059 or 518-794-0078, the State Police at 518-794-9231 or Powell at 518-339-4008.[/private]