CHICAGO (AP) - The Latest on alligator captured in a lagoon in a Chicago public park (all times local):
10:50 a.m.
An alligator that eluded Chicago authorities for a week has met with the media after an expert from Florida captured it using a fishing pole in a public lagoon.
On Tuesday morning, about eight hours after the reptile was captured, “Chance the Snapper” was pulled from a plastic tub by the man who caught it in the Humboldt Park lagoon.
The 5 foot 3 inch-long gator settled into Frank Robb’s grip as photographers snapped pictures. The gator couldn’t do any snapping because its mouth was bound shut.
Investigators say they don’t know why the animal was in the lagoon.
Robb, of St. Augustine, Florida, arrived Sunday. He recommended that the city close sections of the park to reduce the noise and kerfuffle that he suspected was keeping the animal in hiding.
Officials say the alligator will be taken to a wildlife sanctuary or zoo to live out its days.
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9:47 a.m.
Police say an expert from Florida has captured an elusive alligator in a Chicago public lagoon.
Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi (goo-lee-EHL’-mee) says the Humboldt Park gator was caught humanely early Tuesday and is in good health.
The reptile, nicknamed “Chance the Snapper,” was first spotted last week and photos soon started showing up online. Investigators don’t know why the animal, which is at least 4 feet (1.2 meters) long, was on the loose in Chicago.
Frank Robb of St. Augustine, Florida, arrived Sunday and assessed the park and lagoon. Sections of the park were closed to the public Monday on Robb’s recommendation, to reduce the noise and kerfuffle that could keep the animal in hiding.
Guglielmi says details about the alligator and its capture will be released later Tuesday.
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