ERIE, Pa. — There is a search going on for a small alligator in Erie, Pennsylvania. It was seen on video swimming near Lake Erie last weekend.
The animal was first seen on Sunday, according to the Erie Times-News. Since then, animal rescue workers have been looking all over the area. This week, people have said they saw tracks and other things.
It’s not clear how the alligator got into the freshwater lake, but officials think it might have been a pet.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission said Thursday, “We are aware of it.” “An officer could get involved if they saw the alligator while doing other work.” But no one is actively looking for them.”
Parker said it is against the rules in Pennsylvania to let an alligator, which is not a native species, live in the wild. His office does look into how these animals get released sometimes.
Parker said, “Many times, that animal has been freed because its owner no longer wanted it, could no longer afford it, or couldn’t handle its size.”