Rescued from wildlife traffickers, Javier the tiny caiman to reside in Victoria zoo

A juvenile caiman — a smaller relative of an alligator — named Javier will temporarily call the Victoria Butterfly Gardens home. 

Javier is a Cuvier’s dwarf caiman, which are native to northern and central South America, according to the zoo. 

The Butterfly Gardens says Javier was intercepted by Canadian authorities in a co-ordinated effort to combat wildlife trafficking. 

It says the caiman was being held illegally without the necessary permits, and will live at the gardens while legal proceedings determine its future — which the organization says can take up to several years. 

WATCH | Juvenile Cuvier’s dwarf caiman takes up residence at Victoria Butterfly