‘Chance the Snapper’ snatched

By Mike Rundle and Steven Nunez

Witnesses spotted what they said was an alligator wading in the Humboldt Park Lagoon as early as Tuesday morning. One onlooker was quick enough to capture a photo,​ and Chicago officials later confirmed it was in fact an alligator.

Ranging between 4 ​to 5 feet long, Chicago Animal Control called in ​an animal wrangler and reptile specialist, now dubbed “Alligator Bob,” as the hunt began.

Traps set Tuesday night were unsuccessful, and the animal has evaded Alligator Bob’s other capture attempts.

The hunt continued Wednesday morning, whe​n residents gathered to catch a glimpse of the reptile. According to Alligator Bob, “Gators are scared of people,” therefore it poses no threat to bystanders.

Updated: 7/16/2019, 9:45 a.m.

The alligator living in the Humboldt Park Lagoon has been caught. The approximately 4-foot long alligator nicknamed “Chance the Snapper” evaded capture for almost a week.

After multiple futile attempts by “Alligator Bob,” city officials called on the help of Florida alligator experts.

The alligator is expected to be relocated to a zoo for veterinary evaluation, according to Chicago Police Department spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi.