Dwarf caiman found guarding pot stash dies at Oakland Zoo

Mr. Teeth, a 16-year-old dwarf caiman seized in a drug bust in the San Francisco Bay Area earlier this week, died while being cared for by veterinarians at the Oakland Zoo. From NBC News:

Dr. Karen Emanuelson said the animal, which looks like an alligator, was actually a dwarf caiman. And when he came to the zoo Tuesday after an unusual drug bust, he was critically ill and non-responsive. Veterinary staff said they examined Mr. Teeth, took blood samples and determined his prognosis was poor. Emanuelson confirmed Thursday that the animal died sometime in the night, but no one at the zoo would explain or discuss any more. It was not clear why the caiman, thought to be about 16 years old, died, or if guarding drugs at a man's house had any connection to his death.

Mr. Teeth was found in a tank with $100,000 worth of marijuana. The news story noted the reptiles require specific care and environmental conditions to be healthy, and that it was still not known if animal cruelty charges were being considered. Read the full story here.