Zookeepers pull beady-eyed immigrant out of Lake Springfield

by Marie Saavedra, KY3 News

Zookeepers pull beady-eyed immigrant out of Lake Springfield
» 28 Comments

By Gene Hartley

SPRINGFIELD -- The catch of the day at Lake Springfield on Monday was no fish. Zookeepers from Dickerson Park Zoo hauled in an alligator.

Releasing family pets into nature isn't something done much anymore and, citing this catch as an example, the zoo's staff says it should stay that way.

"Some of the CU power plant people had noted there was an alligator in the water,” said Dr. Erica Wilson, a veterinarian at the zoo.

It was more reptile than rumor.

"He's actually approximately a year and a half to two years old,” said Wilson. "We just happened to be in the correct position, as he came over to us, that we were actually able to catch him."

The 'gator's cooperative attitude would be hard to gather from those beady eyes breaking the water.

"The most dangerous aspect of him is that he would have probably scared you more than anything,” she said.

It’s a first for Lake Springfield but the zoo's staff helped rescue two alligators from Stockton Lake over the last two to three years.

"More than likely he was dumped there,” said Wilson. “They are very, very cute when they're little but, once they get to a certain stage in life where they're big enough, the aggressiveness isn't cute anymore. People realize they don't make good pets."

They’re also not good Springfield residents.

"Because of the colder temperatures, if we had not gotten him out of the lake at this moment in time, he most likely would have frozen to death over the winter,” the vet said.

So he'll spend the winter above water, and out of our wakes.

The zoo already has two alligators, and doesn't want one more. They're in talks to move him to another habitat north of Springfield that is approved for alligator care.

Saturday, Oct 25 at 8:17 PM me wrote ...

it's no wonder the city is looking for a zookeeper.that gator is a older than 1/2-2 years old.and to guess that he was dumped?gators have been making their way back into arkansas,we're not that far apart.

Friday, Oct 10 at 3:17 PM Just me wrote ...

I actually think people were referring to Beady eyed not immigrant that they were offended by.

Thursday, Oct 9 at 8:07 PM Betty wrote ...

People has oppions and thoughts some just express them more than others don't take everything so personaly. live your life to the fullest and don't worry about what other people say or do. If you don't like it then you know not to do it. we learn from one another thats what life is about. And if people just take time to relize if you can't take care of your self first than why take care of something you know you will throw away?

Thursday, Oct 9 at 12:45 PM Pam wrote ...

if you are going to be pc someone is going to have their feelings hurt. Wake up we have more important things to worry about!

Thursday, Oct 9 at 10:42 AM Grant wrote ...

he has a reticulated python 6 feet long that has been his room mate in north springfield for over a year. the snake must be on land close to the gator shivering waiting for rescue .he is pink-gray and needs warmth.

Thursday, Oct 9 at 8:07 AM Repy to us citizen wrote ...

I agree with you totally. Hey illegals......GO HOME !!!

Thursday, Oct 9 at 3:32 AM jw wrote ...

this is for yall that want to be offended about the word immigrant, get a life, there is nothing wrong about the title, it is very fitting, i agree with pc reoprt, look at the definition of the word, i love ky3, and they are well within their limits to name this report, so everyone offended, sorry, but put more effort and energy into teaching and educating your heritage, instead of looking for discrimination, you wont find any in this report

Thursday, Oct 9 at 1:38 AM us citizen wrote ...

If imigrants are offended, maybe they should stay in there own country!!!

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 6:07 PM Allagater wrote ...

After a while crocadile.

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 5:36 PM colorado5280ft wrote ...

see ya later.. wally gator...gosh ,i dont want to be anywhere near a Piranha in springfield..

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 5:22 PM In regards to PC Police wrote ...

I am glad to see that you posted what immigrant means and I TOTALLY agree with you that they used the word in the right context. It makes perfect sense. My question to anonymous is; What would you have named the article since seems to be sooo unfitting?

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 5:07 PM joyce wrote ...

Whats wrong with the word immigrant. We have to many of them in monnet and soon theire will be more of them, then us

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 2:23 PM Leeann wrote ...

People should realize how big they get before they decide to take them as pets. Poor thing would have frozen this winter.

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 2:15 PM Jill wrote ...

Are you kidding with all that is going on in America and some of the readers what to waste their time critizing the title of this article. People should stop taking things so personal and maybe they wouldnt get their feelings hurt so easy

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 1:48 PM Anonymous wrote ...

get real ,I am so tired of no one being able to say anything anymore w/o everyone else being offended about the choice of words used. if it doesnt physically harm you,dont worry about it.

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 12:59 PM PC Police wrote ...

In regards the the "Anonymous'"...Last time I checked, "immigrant" was not a racial slur. FYI the definition of immigrant is: 1. a person who migrates to another country, usually for permanent residence. 2. an organism found in a new habitat. So it's a completely reasonable and accurate use of the word!

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 11:40 AM deb wrote ...

Yikes I water ski in stockton lake. People take children there to learn water skiing because its not as busy as others. people should at least have oppions to call somewhere for the animals to be picked up or surrendered.

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 10:59 AM Willie wrote ...

This is not the alligator that the Zoo officals went to Ava Saturday and got............is it?

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 10:52 AM Brent wrote ...

Nice article, but all we wanted to know was how big was it

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 10:18 AM tonya wrote ...

supposely they pulled several from lake of the ozarks so could they be moving north kinda like the armidillo?

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 9:01 AM I agree with anonymous wrote ...

I agree with anonymous. They could have said something about a "wet back" as well.

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 9:01 AM Shannon Malek wrote ...

JUST GLAD HE WAS RESCUED BEFORE WE HAD A MAJOR FREEZE, POOR LITTLE GUY. PEOPLE CAN BE SOO STUPID!

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 8:46 AM Bob wrote ...

I agree with the lsat comment that the headline is in very poor taste. KY3 has always been my choice for news, but in the last year or two, you have also started to sensationalize your headlines and lead-ins. Please go back to reporting local news in a sensible manner

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 7:56 AM Reply to Anonymous wrote ...

No, it's fitting.

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 7:18 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I agree with Anonymous 6:34. Bad word choices for the title of this piece.

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 6:34 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Bad taste of words for the title...

Wednesday, Oct 8 at 12:26 AM shelly wrote ...

i remember a few years ago they found a gator or a camin in a persons back yard on the north side of springfield i don't think people should have pets unless they are going to take care of them just like their children.

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 8:59 PM What a croc wrote ...

See ya later alligator

Tuesday, Oct 7 at 6:52 PM George wrote ...

I remember it wasn't too long ago someone caught a Piranha outta there and thought it was a bluegill until it bit him! What is it with these people and their pets?

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

Comments are screened for curse words and other inappropriate comments, and won't appear until they're reviewed. However, this is not the place to leave a message for someone in the newsroom. If you wish to contact KY3 News, please do so at our Contact Us section (http://www.ky3.com/about/contact).

KY3 and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

Please post comments in upper and lower case typing.

More Weather

On Demand

Stock Quotes

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

AP Video