Popular Alligator Returning Home To Hamburg, NY?

Could Albert The Alligator be coming back home to Hamburg, New York?  Just when we thought it was over, new developments happened.

It's a story that gained national exposure last summer.  A man in Hamburg, New York had his 750-pound alligator seized by DEC officers in March of 2024.  As shocking as it sounded to hear that a man was keeping such a large dangerous animal, more stories came out about how well he was cared for and how docile the alligator was.  He's completely blind and there hasn't been a single issue for 34 years in the care of his owner Tony Cavallaro.

Why was Albert seized?

Many ask, if he was cared for and hadn't caused any issues, why was he seized?  When you own an animal like that, you still need to have permits for them.  The DEC claimed that the permits were expired and they were acting on an anonymous call that Cavallaro had let people swim with Albert.  So because of the lack of permits and the concern for public safety, the DEC seized Albert.

Where is Albert now?

After being seized, Albert was moved to Beaumont, Texas, to be housed at Gator Country Adventure Park.  It's billed as a gator sanctuary that houses over 450 alligators that have been taken from "bad situations."

New Developments In Albert's Case

Today, WGRZ reports that the court made a mistake in denying Cavallaro's original application.  Now, New York State must process Tony Cavallaro's renewal application for a Dangerous Animal License within 30 days.  If they do not, it will automatically be approved.

They did not mention if that meant Albert would automatically be coming home.