Albert the alligator could be coming home to Hamburg in 30 days

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A NYS judge says the Department of Environmental Conservation needs to review a Hamburg man’s application to keep his pet alligator Albert after the reptile was seized by the state last March.

Tony Cavallaro kept Albert in his Hamburg home for over thirty years. He built an addition in his Hamburg home with a pool for the alligator, and said he treated him like a child. Albert entertained visitors who described him as a “gentle giant,” including a man who went swimming with the reptile in 2023.

Albert was seized and taken to a rehab in Texas after officials say Cavallaro’s license to own Albert expired. In addition, specific conditions to keep the designated “dangerous” animal away from humans were not met, according to a spokesperson with the DEC.

Cavallaro has since been in a legal battle to have Albert returned. He filed a lawsuit last summer alleging he followed all regulations to house the alligator and that he never heard from the DEC before the seizure.

The judge now says the DEC must act on Cavallaro’s application to renew his license for Albert. According to court documents, if the DEC fails to act in thirty days, Albert must be returned to Cavallaro.

Veterinary reports and information on the alligator’s condition are expected to be released upon the conclusion of an investigation by the DEC.

Latest Local News

WNY boys basketball playoff brackets, schedule, results | Section VI, Msgr. Martin

WNY girls basketball playoff brackets, schedule, results | Section VI, Msgr. Martin

Town of Tonawanda Board alleges police officers participated in strike

Elected officials join correction officers on 6th day of strike

Top-prize Take 5 ticket worth over $35K sold in Cheektowaga

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.