An Update on Albert the Alligator Who Was Seized Without Warning by NY State’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
By Maureen Schiener
Please visit this LINK to read Part One.
Background: The alligator’s guardian, Tony Cavallaro of Hamburg, NY, had for many years held a special permit to possess Albert. He invested thousands of dollars to enhance Albert’s living quarters, including a specially built swimming pool. According to Tony, the DEC then informed him that double-doors were a new requirement so Albert wouldn’t be able to escape. Tony contacted the DEC to request Albert’s home situation to be grandfathered in as there was little chance he could escape. Tony received no response and no communication after Covid in 2021.
Then, in March 2024, Tony was blindsided by an onslaught of vehicles in his driveway from local law enforcement, fire department, the DEC, and local SPCA—invading his home to take Albert away.
Since then, Tony has been fighting in the courts to bring back Albert, who had lived with him for over 30 years. Tony reports he had contacted the DEC multiple times receiving no response. In December 2024, Tony sued the DEC, calling the seizure of Albert “excessive” and his license to possess Albert unreasonably denied. This past February a judge ruled in Tony’s favor: the DEC was in error and must process Tony’s application for a permit to possess Albert. If approved, it would allow Albert to return to Tony’s home.
In March the DEC appealed the decision and has from 6–9 months to present its case. In the meantime, Albert is living in a Texas theme park, away from the only home he has ever known. Tony believes he’s not being taken care of properly but won’t visit because he feels it might upset Albert.
Tony obviously cares deeply for Albert—he never displayed him for money or exploited him in any way. Friends would visit; one even swam in the pool with Albert. Tony’s determined to keep fighting for Albert; he’s spent $15,000 thus far in legal fees. Perhaps the new acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will be more empathetic to our neighbors who try to do right by the animals.
Albert remains somewhere in this amusement park in Beaumont, Texas:
gatorrescue.com/about
TAKE ACTION: To express your opinion, please contact the NYS DEC, Attn: Amanda Lefton, Acting Commissioner, DEC. contact@dec.ny.gov
Ask them to return Albert!
Maureen Schiener is on the board of the League of Humane Voters/NY