Gator haunts Ill. forest preserve

Joliet, Ill. -- Staff at Illinois' Will County Forest Preserve said a 4-foot American alligator spotted in the preserve has thus far eluded capture.

The gator, which was first reported Saturday by a group of bird watchers and resurfaced for a second time Monday to the surprise of forest preserve staff, is believed by officials to be a former pet that was released into the area, the Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday.

Forest preserve spokesman Bruce Hodgdon said he met Monday with members of the Chicago Herpetological Society to discuss their options for removing the reptile. He said the current plan is to catch the alligator alive and release it into its natural habitat after a period of rehabilitation.

However, they have to catch it first.

"It's a waiting game now," said a Chicago Herpetological Society member who only gave his first name, Dan. "All you're going to see sticking out right now is going to be nostrils and a pair of eyes."

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.