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After multiple sightings, an animal educator successfully located the small alligator and rescued it from the dangerously cold waters.
Earlier this week, multiple people reported seeing a small alligator in the water along the Charles River Esplanade. As online posts about it racked up thousands of views and comments, many wondered if the alligator could be rescued or if it would succumb to the cold.
Now, the alligator has been saved.
Animal educator Joseph Kenney, who runs a business called Joe’s Crazzy Critters, confirmed in an Instagram post Wednesday night that he had possession of the animal. Kenney said that he was contacted by NBC10 Boston and given information about where the alligator was seen. He set off into the night.
“With the cold temps, the alligator had very low chances of surviving. With some luck and a couple of bright flashlights after 15 minutes I found the Boston alligator,” he wrote alongside photos of the animal.
Kenney said the animal is now warm and safe. He hopes it will be “a new resident and ambassador” at his company.
MassWildlife officials said Wednesday that they were aware of reports about the alligator and were coordinating with Boston Animal Care and Control and the Massachusetts Environmental Police to locate and capture it.
Someone from the city’s Animal Care and Control department had attempted to locate the animal on Sunday to no success, a spokesperson said.
It is illegal to keep any crocodilian species in Massachusetts, including an alligator, as a pet.
On Thursday, Reddit users flooded a post about the animal’s rescue, expressing relief that it had been found safely.
“I’m an animal lover and raised reptiles for years. Had been thinking about this. There was no way this little guy was making it if he stayed there. Glad he was found and will be brought somewhere more suitable!” one user wrote.
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