BROWNSVILLE (October 20, 2011)--Two rare crocodiles living in Canada but needing a new home after their owner died have been moved to a zoo in South Texas.
The Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville on Wednesday welcomed the
endangered Orinoco crocodiles named Blade and Suede.
Zoo staffers applauded as the crocodiles emerged from their crates.
Officials say Blade is an 800-pound, 14-foot male.
Suede weighs half as much and her length is about 11 feet.
The animals, which are native to South America, lost their home
in Welland, Ontario, after Seaway Serpentarium owner Karel Fortyn
died suddenly in May.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service last month issued permits to
allow the transfer.
The reptiles were moved Monday from Welland and on to Buffalo, N.Y., for the truck ride to Texas.
