July 10, 2019

Officials looking to trap alligator spotted in Humboldt Park Lagoon in Chicago

WATCH: Alligator spotted in Chicago lagoon

It's not your average morning in Humboldt Park in Chicago today -- officials are trying to trap an alligator spotted in the lagoon there.

The reptile is between 4 and 5 feet long, specialists said, according to Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.

Ren Horst-Ruiz at Ren's View Photography
An alligator swims in Humboldt Park Lagoon in Chicago.
(MORE: How to survive an alligator attack)

Authorities are hoping for the animal to be "humanely trapped" and taken to a zoo for a veterinary evaluation, police said.

When sightings of the gator came in on Tuesday, Guglielmi called it an "unusual news day."

(MORE: 'It dragged her in the water': Golfer called 911 to report alligator attack that killed woman)

The public is urged to let the experts do their job and give them space, Chicago police spokeswoman Kellie Bartoli said on Wednesday.

WLS
Officials looking to trap alligator spotted in Humboldt Park Lagoon in Chicago.

It's not clear how the gator ended up in the lagoon but it was likely a pet that got released, according to ABC Chicago station WLS.