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Four foot alligator found in Brooklyn's Prospect Park
The animal was removed from the lake by park rangers who “snapped into action” and was taken to an animal care center to be evaluated
February 21, 2023 7:38am
Updated: February 21, 2023 7:41am
A four-foot alligator was found in a lake at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park on Sunday, city officials said.
The alligator was first spotted on Sunday morning at around 8:30 a.m. by maintenance workers as it was floating on the water near Duck Island.
The animal was removed from the lake by park rangers who “snapped into action” and was taken to an animal care center to be evaluated. He was ultimately relocated to the Bronx Zoo, according to park officials.
The animal, nicknamed Godzilla by the park officials, was found "very lethargic and possibly cold shocked since it is native to warm, tropical climates," according to the Department of Parks & Recreation.
"Parks are not suitable homes for animals not indigenous to those parks-domesticated or otherwise," a spokesperson for the department said in a statement. "In addition to the potential danger to park goers, this could have caused, releasing non-indigenous animals or unwanted pets can lead to the elimination of native species and unhealthy water quality."
The alligator was removed from the lake and taken to an animal care center to be evaluated. He was ultimately relocated to the Bronx Zoo, according to park officials.
“It’s totally unexpected,” said Joseph Puleo, vice president of District Council 37.
“We were notified by someone who saw it,” Puleo told The New York Post. “It wasn’t moving really at all.”
It is unknown how the animal got to the park. However, officials at the department reminded residents that it is illegal to release animals into city parks.
“In addition to the potential danger to park goers this could have caused, releasing non-indigenous animals or unwanted pets can lead to the elimination of native species and unhealthy water quality,” NYC Parks said.
