For Mary O'Brien's family, babysitting some alligators is a unique challenge. A 4-foot alligator was found Wednesday wandering in a parking lot of a Long Island shopping plaza. Another alligator, a few inches shorter, was found the day before.
The cold-blooded reptiles with their claws and scales can grow to be 12 feet long. They are not native to Long Island.
The SPCA believes their owner likely abandoned them at the Baldwin grocery store.
Taking care of reptiles is not new for Mary's family. Her dad, Robert, is a former police officer. Over the years, dozens of reptiles have ended up at the home after someone discarded them.
These two are the latest in an odd string of gator sightings. Last Friday a homeowner in Mastic Beach captured one on his front lawn. On Monday a Brooklyn couple was charged with harboring a prohibitive animal when a 3.5-footer was found.
These two alligators will stay with the O'Briens for about a month. Then they will be flown to Florida where they'll live out their lives at a gator farm.
The Nassau County SPCA is offering a $2,000 reward for anyone with information on who is releasing the alligators.
Saturday, May 25 2013 5:08 PM EDT2013-05-25 21:08:28 GMT
Nassau County health officials announced that due to heavy rainfall, 19 beaches have been closed to bathing as a precautionary measure beginning Saturday, May 25.
Nassau County health officials announced that due to heavy rainfall, 19 beaches have been closed to bathing as a precautionary measure beginning Saturday, May 25.
Saturday, May 25 2013 4:42 PM EDT2013-05-25 20:42:49 GMT
First the Sequester cuts took the American military out of the Jones Beach Air Show and now the cold and rainy start to Memorial Day has washed out the first day of the air show.
First the Sequester cuts took the American military out of the Jones Beach Air Show and now the cold and rainy start to Memorial Day has washed out the first day of the air show.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:44 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:44:03 GMT
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy.
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by superstorm Sandy. The Fox 5 weather team is calling for sunny skies on Sunday and Monday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 6:28 AM EDT2013-05-23 10:28:29 GMT
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
The parolee shot and killed along with a Hofstra University student by police won praise from a state parole panel in 2011 before his conditional release from prison.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:00 PM EDT2013-05-22 17:00:29 GMT
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police.
An emotional funeral service has been held for a Hofstra University student who was accidentally shot by police. Andrea Rebello's family followed the pastor Wednesday as he led her white cloth-draped coffin to the altar at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.
KRIV FOX 26 4261 Southwest Freeway Houston, TX 77027
