ODDLY ENOUGH

ODDLY ENOUGH

Pa. man, 109, cites unlisted number for longevity

JERMYN, Pa.

What’s the secret to a long life? Having an unlisted number.

That’s according to Leo Moskovitz, who just turned 109. The northeastern Pennsylvania resident jokes that God can’t find him because his name has never appeared in the phone book.

The Times-Tribune of Scranton reported that Moskovitz celebrated his birthday with friends and family at a restaurant Sunday.

People curious about his longevity often ask Moskovitz about his diet. He says he switches between oatmeal and eggs for breakfast — but isn’t sure if that’s why he’s lived so long. He says, “If I knew what the secret was, I’d patent it.”

Moskovitz and his wife, Ann, 87, have been married for 45 years. They live in Jermyn.

Officials look for sanctuary for Iowa baby alligator

WATERLOO, Iowa

Animal control officials in the Iowa city of Waterloo are seeking a new home for a baby alligator named Chompey.

A resident of the eastern Iowa city of about 68,000 people bought the alligator after spotting an online advertisement, but he later learned state law does not allow people to keep alligators or other exotic animals, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier reported Monday.

The resident turned the gator in to animal- control officials, who kept the creature in an aquarium while figuring out what to do with it. Then the gator started snapping and making noises.

“He was really kind of cute, but he was also kind of naughty,” said Maria Tiller, Waterloo’s code enforcement forewoman. “I didn’t want him in my office anymore.”

The alligator was moved to Pawsitive Pet Care, a veterinary center, where staff dubbed the animal “Chompey.” The alligator then was sent to a herpetologist in Des Moines, where the animal is being kept in quarantine while staff seek a sanctuary in a warmer climate for Chompey.

Josh Colvin, who heads animal control for Animal Rescue of Iowa, said alligator reports have dropped since the state ban on exotic animals was approved in 2007. Still, he said, people occasionally drop off gators.

“They just don’t realize they are going to grow up and get big,” Colvin said. “The unfortunate part is that people don’t think it through, and then animal control has to pick up the pieces.”

Iowa law also bans residents from owning lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, ocelots, elephants, bears, monkeys, crocodiles and some snakes.

Exceptions can be made for zoos, circuses, fairs, animal shelters, veterinarians and researchers.

Associated Press