Alligator found in Wisconsin lake

OSCEOLA, Wis. — Rescuers in Wisconsin are hoping an owner comes forward to claim an alligator found swimming in a lake.

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J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue (JRAAR) said in a post on its Facebook page that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources surrendered the alligator, which was found swimming in Long Lake. The alligator is 18 inches – 24 inches long, and rescuers said that they will wait for a week for the owners to come forward before trying to place the animal at an accredited sanctuary.

Wardens with the Department of Natural Resources on boat patrol saw the alligator swimming, WGBA reported. The wardens on patrol taped the gator’s mouth and put it in a dog crate, which was then taken to JRAAR.

“We are able to take in alligators up to 30 inches long, and this guy is much less than that,” John Moyles of JRAAR told WLUK. “We are fortunate that we are in a position to help this animal either be legally reunited with his owner or sent to a sanctuary.”

Moyles told WTMJ that he believed the alligator either got away from its owner somehow or was released when the owner could no longer care for the animal.

“While (alligators) make great pets, they don’t make great pets for everyone,” Moyles told the Post-Crescent.

Moyles told the newspaper that this is the fourth alligator the rescue has cared for.

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