CHOCTAW, American Alligator
Choctaw the American Alligator was sent to the Center after the NYSDEC confiscated her from a hoarder that had her illegally. Unfortunately this person not only had her illegally, but also abused her. When Choctaw arrived she was skin and bones, had stunted growth, open sores all over her snout and was missing many teeth. Considering alligators in the wild can survive without eating for six months to a year, it takes extreme neglect to starve them. Choctaw is fighter, with a lot of rehabilitation and care this beautiful animal is now healthy and thriving, though she is still stunted and bears the scars of her early life.
MORLA, Leopard Tortoise
Morla, the rescued Leopard Tortoise, was not being cared for properly. Given a poor diet of peas while growing led to pyramiding of the shell. Morla now has proper care, food, and enrichment such as going out for walks in the grass, visiting schools for education programs, and painting!
