Residents in New York City got a big surprise Thursday when they spotted a 3-foot-long alligator taking an evening stroll along 205th Street in Inwood.
Officers, who found the alligator crossing Ninth Avenue, initially described the reptile as as an alligator, leading to a debate about whether it was indeed an alligator or a crocodile.
One woman tweeted at the NYPD 34th Precinct account, "I think that might be a crocodile," to which the police station responded, "Oh, ok. Then it makes much more sense that he'd be on 9th. That's more of a crocodile hangout than an alligator spot...thx," according to the International Business Times.
So this alligator was crossing 9th Ave in #Inwood...no, really. At 205 Str. Cops took him to Animal Control #whatnext pic.twitter.com/EG5Z3bkQPl
— NYPD 34th Precinct (@NYPD34Pct) July 23, 2015
It's unknown how the alligator made it to Upper Manhattan. Some believe the animal might have come from the Harlem River since the street where it was walking ends at a park alongside it. Others believe the reptile might have hitched a ride from somewhere down south, according to AJC.
The final theory is that someone had it as a pet and it either got too big so they released it or it escaped on its own. This theory might not pan out though because it's illegal to own alligators or crocodiles in New York State.
Upon its capture, officers took the alligator to Animal Care and Control, reported USA Today.
NYPD, Animal Care & Control Capture Alligator Walking Down Inwood Street https://t.co/Kgkb4akDq5 — New York Trends (@NY_Trends) July 24, 2015
"We are seeking placement for the alligator with a wildlife rehabilitator," Animal Care and Control told USA Today in an email.
