Last Tuesday, a five-foot long alligator surprised residents by swimming in the Humboldt Park Lagoon at 6:30 in the morning. Animal rescue crews failed to trap it until Wednesday morning.
The alligator search was trending in Chicago by Wednesday morning, with dozens of people flocking to the scene for a sneak peak. Netizens also voted for its name, with “Chance The Snapper” winning.
Officials closed roads and paths near the lagoon and after 36 straight hours of tracking and surveillance by Frank Robb, an alligator expert in Florida and owner of Crocodilian Specialist Services in St. Augustine, the animal was finally captured.
According to Robb, he saw the gator’s eyes in the darkness and he immediately moved into position to capture the animal with a fishing rod. The fishing line had a 200-pound test strength, giving it the power to capture the male alligator that weighs around 30 or 40 pounds.
Chance the Snapper is now at Chicago Animal Care and Control, where he will remain “until he is transferred to an alligator sanctuary,” the agency posted on Twitter.
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