Alligator Found in Kankakee River in Starke County

Conservation Keith Wildeman takes possession of the alligator found dead in Starke County

Two fisherman found a dead alligator in the Kankakee River in Starke County yesterday.

Jeff Brewer and his father, Steve Brewer, discovered a dead alligator stuck in a logjam about two miles downstream from the English Lake Public Access site. They just launched their boat and were headed out to fish and Jeff Brewer spotted the foot and tail of the alligator sticking out of the water. They retrieved the alligator and met with Conservation Officer Keith Wildeman. The four-foot, seven-inch alligator’s mouth had been taped shut and officer Wildeman believes that it had been dead for a while and it was a pet that outgrew his welcome. It was released unlawfully into the river. Wildeman believes this to be an isolated incident.

Anyone with any information about this incident should call the Indiana Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-TIP-IDNR. According to Indiana State law, anyone in possession of an alligator or crocodile over five feet in length require a permit from the IDNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. You must meet strict guidelines and regulations to keep these types of animals in captivity.