The Brussels fire brigade removed a baby caiman from a private home in the municipality of Uccle on Friday evening around 22:40, at the request of the police. It was found there by chance.
As the intervention is part of a judicial investigation, the fire brigade cannot give much information about the find. What is certain, however, is that the animal was found by chance and had nothing to do with the police intervention itself. It was possibly kept as a pet.
The caiman was removed from its aquarium by the fire brigade and has since been entrusted to the Brussels Wildlife Care Centre (KBVBV), a centre operated by the Royal Belgian Society for the Protection of Birds in Anderlecht.
(continues below photo)
Credit: Brussels fire service
"During an intervention by police forces, the owner decided to voluntarily relinquish the exotic animal in illegal possession to avoid additional problems with the police," said Natalia Rega, spokesperson for the KBVBV, told Belga News Agency.
"A specialist will examine the caiman's health and take over responsibility. Currently, it is not certain whether the animal will move or stay with us," she added.
Once mature, caimans can be very dangerous. They vary in length, but some can reach a total body length of up to four metres. In the Brussels-Capital Region, keeping crocodiles is prohibited.
