A couple of weekends ago, we went to Lexington just to get away for the day. We had a nice dinner, toured the campus, and I bought some new shoes. Good day.

At the time, we had no idea Lexington was on its way to becoming an episode of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. And, yes, that series was on a LONG time ago, but, in my opinion, it's the best one about the animal kingdom that has ever aired.

So, yeah, 11 days ago, while we were minding our own business in the Horse Capital of the World, a much larger herbivore was planning an escape from its Fayette County enclosure. And, guess what. As far as I know, that buffalo STILL hasn't been captured.

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And, of course, that's very weird since buffaloes are enormous and, well, NOT exactly a common sight in central Kentucky. Or anywhere in Kentucky for that matter.

Now there's some irony here. A large beast not native to the area has not been found, yet ANOTHER non-indigenous creature has been. And he's not very big either.

A caiman--a member of the alligator family--was found in a canal in Lexington by a woman out walking her dog on Wednesday. Can you imagine just minding your own business and noticing what looks like an alligator just swimming in a canal?

And yes, caimans look exactly like alligators with the exception of a few nearly imperceptible distinctions. I'd call it an alligator. And I'd be very frantic calling it that on my 911 phone call, too.

But it isn't very big, as caimans go, and, according to LEX-18/Lexington, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife plans to get it safely to the Kentucky Reptile Zoo in Slade. (And, by the way, I want to visit THAT as soon as possible.)

So all's well that ends well.

Of course, that poor dog walker had the life scared out of her, but I'm sure she's fine now.

My question is, "Why in the world is Lexington suddenly a hotspot for strange wildlife?"

If they ever spot a giraffe trying to get into Rupp Arena, I'm leaving work and going.

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