NEW YORK — A strange visitor to Brooklyn’s Prospect Park took maintenance crews by surprise Sunday.
This is because they saw a 4 foot long alligator inside the park that the trained animal officers were able to capture. It is not clear how the animal got there.
“We are grateful to our Park Enforcement Patrol and Urban Park Rangers who sprang into action to capture and transport the alligator. Fortunately, no one was injured and the animal is being evaluated,” a city spokesperson said.
City officials say the animal was in poor condition and possibly in shock from the water. Alligators are obviously not native to the area.
Experts warn that exotic animals can harm local species and the environment. Also, releasing animals into city parks is illegal.
The reptile has since been transferred to the Bronx Zoo, where it will undergo rehabilitation.
