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Gator Caught—in Chicago?

Five-foot reptile apprehended in the Chicago River; probably a discarded pet

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 21, 2008 5:32 AM CDT

(Newser) – Alligator wranglers may not be the busiest of folks in metro Chicago, but they came through yesterday by yanking a 5-foot unwelcome visitor out of the Chicago River, the Tribune reports. The healthy female, probably a discarded pet, is on her way to a sanctuary in the Southeast.

“Everyone feels it was someone's pet and they just threw it in,” said one official. The gator—the first known visitor of its kind to the river—appeared to be fine shape, perhaps because of the ample supply of carp living in that part of the river, a secluded industrial zone. Tough as it is, the gator probably could not survive a Chicago winter, meaning it was likely dropped off recently.

An adult alligator. (AP Photo)

The Chicago skyline. (AP Photo)

A bridge on the Chicago River. (AP Photo)

A large American alligator suns itself on the banks of a canal. (AP Photo)

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Gator Caught—in Chicago?

Five-foot reptile apprehended in the Chicago River; probably a discarded pet

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More Newser Stories

Floridians Gang Up on New Neighbor: 8-Foot Gator

Said to have come from local canal

South Jersey Man Finds Gator on Side the Road

No explantion where 4-foot, 60-to-80-pound beast in cage came from

Alligator Surfaces In NYC

What danger lurks below?

Snakes Headed the Way of the Dinosaur?

Snakes may face fate similar to that of frogs and fish

13-Foot Alligator Kills 11-Year-Old Girl

Victim was swimming in shallow water of Brazilian river

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Gator Caught—in Chicago?

Five-foot reptile apprehended in the Chicago River; probably a discarded pet

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Chicago • alligator • animal • reptiles • Chicago River • Animal Control

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Floridians Gang Up on New Neighbor: 8-Foot Gator

Said to have come from local canal

South Jersey Man Finds Gator on Side the Road

No explantion where 4-foot, 60-to-80-pound beast in cage came from

Alligator Surfaces In NYC

What danger lurks below?

Snakes Headed the Way of the Dinosaur?

Snakes may face fate similar to that of frogs and fish

13-Foot Alligator Kills 11-Year-Old Girl

Victim was swimming in shallow water of Brazilian river

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?