BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — "Albert the Alligator" who was seized from his home in Hamburg by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in March has been moved to a rehabilitation facility in Texas.
In a statement to 7 News on Wednesday, the NYSDEC said that Albert underwent an extensive examination and initial rehabilitation under licensed veterinary care in Massachusetts. The NYSDEC then arranged for Albert to be moved to an authorized alligator rehabilitation facility in Texas called Gator Country.
You can read the full NYSDEC statement below:
"Following an extensive examination and initial rehabilitation under licensed veterinary care in Massachusetts, DEC arranged for care at an authorized alligator rehabilitation facility in Texas called Gator Country. The move was scheduled only after the alligator was cleared by a veterinarian and demonstrated a substantial health improvement following weeks of medical care, an appropriate diet, access to necessary UV light, and other living conditions conducive to its recovery. Due to the ongoing enforcement investigation, the Town of Hamburg Court provided the required authorization to transport.
The alligator arrives today at the new location and will be housed in a separate enclosure to ensure it continues to receive specialized care consistent with ongoing physical maladies including blindness and spinal conditions from decades of inadequate treatment and care. The location was selected after an evaluation of local and national facilities able and willing to accept an alligator with these specific and significant medical needs. DEC will continue to work closely with the facility monitoring the alligator’s health and wellbeing."
WATCH: 11-foot, 750-pound alligator seized from Hamburg home
Albert was seized in part because his owner Tony Cavallaro's license to possess the gator had expired in 2021.
Cavallaro has been fighting every day to get his pet of over 30 years back. He told the 7 News I-Team weeks ago that he repeatedly contacted the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for assistance renewing his license after he failed to comply with new regulations.
Cavallaro says he is worried about Albert after seeing pictures of him recently.
"I know his expression. He's very, very sad and lost. I can see it in his face," said Cavallaro. "They said he's in his own separate area while he rehabs supposedly but if you read the articles and the way I see them prodding him. I'm really thinking that they're doing this as a money grab."
Cavallaro's Lawyer, Michael D'Amico said they are working hard to get Albert back to Hamburg. He also said reports that his client's permit for the gator were denied are false.
"His permit was not denied so it's still pending. I know everyone was saying it was expired but I don't necessarily believe that a pending permit is expired," said D'Amico.
The community has rallied around Cavallaro since Albert was seized.
In March, shirts and lawn signs were being sold and proceeds were for the effort to have Albert the Alligator returned.
WATCH: Hamburg community rallies in support of returning 'Albert the Alligator' to his owner
In April, over 400 people gathered to raise money for Cavallaro’s legal fees, while he fights to bring back his pet alligator.
WATCH: ‘This is a great cause’: Fundraiser for Albert the Alligator’s legal fees raises over $10,000
