Cayman, the alligator-like caiman found roaming in FDR Park earlier this month by Delaware County fisherman Ike Peyton was euthanized when an animal sanctuary couldn’t be found to house him, writes Beatrice Forman for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The three-foot-long caiman was euthanized by state officials with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, stated spokesperson Mike Parker in an email.

“The PFBC is not a rescue organization for exotic animals and unwanted pets,” said Parker. “These animals are not easily adopted or cared for, and often require large spaces and financial investment that most rescue organizations do not have.”

ACCT Philly executive director Sarah Barnett, who temporarily took in Cayman (and named hIm), told Axios she was angered by the decision to euthanize Cayman.

She was led to believe the reptile was being taken to an undisclosed animal rehab facility in northeast Pennsylvania.   

Barnett said she would not have handed over Cayman had she known there was a likelihood that he would be put down.

Parker said he could not comment on how Barnett got the impression there was a rehoming plan for Cayman.

Caimans are not native to Pennsylvania and could turn to hunting small dogs when out of their element.

Read more about Cayman’s demise in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Here’s 6abc news reporting on the decision to euthanize Cayman.