An American alligator was found in Long Lake last Friday in Fond du Lac County, according to J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue.
JRAAR said the alligator was netted by the Osceola Boat Patrol and then handed over to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. DNR Conservation Wardens contacted J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue, which was able to accept the alligator.
According to the Wisconsin DNR, a local agency’s boat patrol found the small alligator swimming in the lake. JRAAR said the gater was netted by the Osceola Boat Patrol. The local patrol members handled prepping it for transport (meaning they taped the gator's mouth) and put it in a dog crate carrier.
The local authorities then asked if one of the DNR wardens could drive the dog crate to the rehabber, JRAAR. The DNR says it then drove the dog crate with the little exotic animal to the rehabber.
"Legally, we are able to take in alligators up to 30 inches long, and this guy is much less than that," says John Moyles in a JRAAR press release. "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 believes either it got away from its owner or someone found him and couldn't take care of him anymore and decided to release him into the wild.
Moyles has worked with aquatic animals since the late 90's, but in 2020 he founded J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue, becoming the state's first rescue of its kind.
He has helped more than 2,000 reptiles and fish, including a tortoise and Argentine Tegu.
"We're there to help people, and help pets," Moyles smiled.
J&R Aquatic Animal Rescue says they are going to look for the animal's owner for about a week before trying to place the alligator in an accredited sanctuary.
@jraquaticanimalrescue New Arrival #gator #americanalligator #jraar #rescuerehabrehome #lostpet #alligator #crocodilian #Alligatormississippiensis ♬ Scary Jaws Logo - arianlevin
