Gone gators: Police searching for stolen baby alligators

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Jamie Bridges is worried that two thieves who stole a dozen baby alligators from his family's Hot Springs tourist attraction won't know how to properly care for them.

Two people broke into the Arkansas Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo about 2:30 a.m. Saturday wearing masks and gloves and stole the 12 babies as well as a 7-year-old alligator.

"These doors were shut, and they just kicked them in," said Arkansas Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo Manager Jamie Bridges to CBS affiliate KTHV. "They both jumped over the fence, the wall, you could see them putting gators in a bag."

The facility is offering a $200 reward for information leading to the alligators' return. KTHV reports that each baby alligator were valued at $100. Bridges says the babies are less than a year old and had only been at the facility for about a month.

One of the thieves can be seen in surveillance video picking up the 2.5-foot long alligator by the tail and trying to place it in a bag.

Bridges says video surveillance indicates the older alligator took a swipe at the thief who picked it up by the tail and placed it in a bag. The alligator snaps at the robber and "nearly nipped him," Bridges said.

Hot Springs Police hadn't made an arrest by Monday afternoon.

Bridges said he's been in touch with Game and Fish representatives who said they would work with him on obtaining permission to bring in more baby alligators if the stolen ones are not returned.

"I hope it doesn't come to that," Bridges said. "Hopefully the thieves will talk about it and someone will turn them in. Hopefully we'll get them back, and we can take care of them."