Chicago residents are left baffled after a five-foot ALLIGATOR is spotted lurking in a city lagoon

Send in the investigators! Chicago residents are left baffled after a five-foot ALLIGATOR is spotted lurking in a city lagoon and officials prepare to swoop in to trap the reptile

  • Chicago locals noticed an alligator lurking in Humboldt Park lagoon on Tuesday morning
  • One photographer shared a photo of the surprise sighting to Facebook, prompting a panicked call to police
  • Later in the evening, authorities confirmed the reptile was indeed in the waters
  • Officials plan to humanely trap the alligator on Wednesday morning and take it to a nearby zoo
  • They did not disclose how they believe the alligator ended up the lagoon, but many residents believed the animal may have been dumped there
  • Humboldt Park lagoon connects to a beach which is frequented by swimmers – although it is currently closed due to dangerous algae levels 

Chicago residents have been left shocked by news that an alligator is living in one of the city’s lakes. 

Officials confirmed on Tuesday evening that the live reptile is lurking in suburban Humboldt Park lagoon – less than five miles from Chicago’s bustling downtown. 

The animal, measuring between four and five feet long, was first spotted earlier in the day.

Local photographer Rencie Horst-Ruiz was in the park around 6.30 am when she was called over to the lagoon by another resident.  

‘We thought, ‘No way’. We thought it had to be a toy or something,’ Horst-Ruiz told Chicago Book Club. 

‘It was close to the pier at first, then went further into the middle of the lagoon,’ she explained ot the publication. 

Officials confirmed on Tuesday evening that an alligator is lurking in suburban Humboldt Park lagoon – less than five miles from Chicago’s bustling downtown

Local photographer Rencie Horst-Ruiz was in the park around 6.30 am and took some pictures of the reptile

Local photographer Rencie Horst-Ruiz was in the park around 6.30 am and took some pictures of the reptile 

Horst-Ruiz quickly took pictures of the reptile, and shared them to Facebook. 

The snaps sparked a commotion with baffled locals, one of whom quickly phoned the police.   

They initially appeared skeptical by the sighting, with a Chicago Police spokesperson posting on Twitter: Unusual news day. We’ve received reports of a possible alligator in Humboldt Park lagoon. We’ve notified animal control but have not confirmed this is a legitimate call as of yet. Officer Michelle Tannehill is responding to give general safety tips should this be a legitimate incident.’

Later, cops  confirmed the presence of the predator in the water. 

As night fell on Chicago, the reptile was still lurking at the surface of the water

As night fell on Chicago, the reptile was still lurking at the surface of the water 

‘UPDATE – We’ve independently confirmed the alligator is in the lagoon and state reptile specialists say its between 4 and 5 feet long. The reptile will be humanely trapped tonight and relocated to a zoo for veterinary evaluation,’ the spokesperson wrote. 

Several people believe the alligator may have been placed in the water by a citizen who had previously housed the animal as a pet. 

‘It looks like someone dumped it in there,’ eyewitness Horst-Ruiz stated. 

Meanwhile, another resident who spotted the alligator agreed. 

A Chicago Police spokesperson kept locals updated on the events over the course of the day

A Chicago Police spokesperson kept locals updated on the events over the course of the day

Humboldt Park lagoon is located just five miles from downtown Chicago

Humboldt Park lagoon is located just five miles from downtown Chicago 

‘I thought somebody obviously came to park yesterday and let this thing out,’ Charlie Rizzo stated. 

‘Why they would do that, I don’t know. Was it a sense of giving the animal freedom? Or just plain crazy? I don’t know what would motivate someone to do something like that,’ he added. 

Humboldt Park lagoon connects to a beach area that is a hot spot for swimmers in summer. 

However, thankfully, it has recently been closed due to dangerous algae levels.  

Officials are hoping that the alligator can be trapped and removed in the early hours of Wednesday.  

The lagoon connects to a beach area which is currently closed to swimmers due to dangerous algae levels

The lagoon connects to a beach area which is currently closed to swimmers due to dangerous algae levels

 

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk