Caiman living in a Toronto home for 12 years relocated to sanctuary

Toronto Animal Services share photos of a caiman that was relocated to a reptile sanctuary. (Facebook)

Toronto Animal Service (TAS) officials are hoping to have a teachable moment after having to relocate a prohibited caiman.

In a social media post on Thursday, the city organization said they recently had to “find a new home” for the caiman that was being kept in Toronto.

According to TAS, caimans are reptiles who are part of the same family as alligators, although typically much small in comparison.

They’re also prohibited to keep in the city.

“Thankfully, our team were able to find this guy a much more suitable home at a reptile sanctuary,” the post reads.

In a statement to CTV News Toronto, the city said that TAS was informed of the caiman being at a home in Toronto this past December.

“As this animal had been in the possession of this person for approximately 12 years, the resident was encouraged to voluntarily offer over the animal so that it could be relocated to a more appropriate living condition,” said Jasmine Herzog, manager of the Enforcement and Mobile Response Unit for Animal Services.

“The owner agreed to that condition at the time and the caiman was relocated to the Indian River Reptile Zoo, a non-profit zoo located east of Peterborough.”

While TAS said the story ended well for the caiman, they’re using the situation as a lesson to teach Torontonians about the other animals that are not allowed in the city. The full list can be found here.

The fine for having a prohibited animal is $240 however in this case, TAS said the resident was not fined due to their lack of prior knowledge of the bylaw.