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Search Underway for Small Alligator Spotted in Boston's Charles River

Officials warn the non-native reptile is unlikely to survive the week's cold without rescue.

Overview

  • A weekend video by Trevor Rochelle shows a small alligator in an Esplanade lagoon retreating into the water after being prodded with a stick.
  • MassWildlife, Boston Animal Control, and the Massachusetts Environmental Police are coordinating efforts to locate and capture the animal.
  • Multiple reports followed in the same area, including a Tuesday morning photo and video by runner Whitney Lieberman.
  • Authorities note alligators are illegal to own in Massachusetts and are unlikely to endure the current cold, particularly for smaller animals.
  • The alligator’s origin remains unknown, and a 4-foot alligator was similarly removed from the Charles River by a specialist in 2010.