CENTRE DAILY TIMES (Pennsylvania) 31 May 07 Fisherman finds alligator in Youghiogheny River
Buena Vista, Pa. (AP): An alligator was found in the Youghiogheny River, authorities said.
A fisherman spotted the gator, about 4 to 5 feet long and weighing about 25 pounds, on Sunday under a bridge in Elizabeth Township, about 15 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, Dan Tredinnick, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, said Wednesday.
Conservation officers removed the reptile after several attempts to wrestle it onto a boat, officials said. They secured its mouth with electrical tape.
Officials suspect the alligator was someone's pet and was deliberately released.
"It's not like it crept all the way up here from South Florida," Tredinnick said. "Obviously someone thought it was a cute pet when it was small, but then it grew."
Officials said they receive about a half-dozen reports annually of alligator sightings in lakes, backyards, parks and swimming pools.
In September, a 2-foot alligator was removed from Frick Park in Pittsburgh and a 3-foot gator was found in September 2005 in a Wilkinsburg backyard.
Fisherman finds alligator in Youghiogheny River