NEW INFO: Young alligator removed from Jacksonville City Hall
The young alligator found outside the Jacksonville City Hall this morning has been removed.
A woman walking by city hall early this morning was startled by the gator on the New Bridge Street side of the building.
Officials placed orange safety cones around it and brought in a wildlife specialist to remove the reptile.
The wildlife officer took only a few tries to safely place the gator in a rope snare, and then placed it in the bed of her truck.
The gator is about two and a half feet long. Chris Kent, a biologist with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, says the reptiles grow only three to four inches a year. Based on that he says it could be between eight and 12 years old.
The gator will be placed back in its habitat. The New River is about a half mile from city hall.
There was an extra young visitor this morning outside Jacksonville City Hall.
A baby alligator was spotted alongside the building on New Bridge Street.
We estimate the reptile to be about two feet long.
The city says wildlife officers were going to relocate the gator back to its natural habitat.
The New River is just a half-mile away.
