An alligator nicknamed Reggie appeared in a Los Angeles lake after disappearing there one-and-a-half years ago.
”Reggie is older, Reggie is bigger, and he’s probably hungry, so I want to make sure that we keep the public safe,” city councillor Janice Hahn said. ”He’s a wild alligator and he’s unpredictable, and we’re not really sure what his behaviour will be.”
Reggie was an illegal pet allegedly tossed into the lake by a former Los Angeles police officer when he got too big. He was spotted in August 2005 and caused a stir until disappearing. At the time, Reggie was estimated to be between 1,5m and 2,1m long.
A series of alligator experts tried and failed to capture Reggie.
Hahn recalled an offer of help from TV’s ”Crocodile Hunter”, Steve Irwin, who was killed by a stingray last year. ”We’re going to call [Irwin’s crew] and see if they might not like to come out in memory of Steve Irwin and finish the job that Steve promised that he would do for Los Angeles.”
If captured, the alligator could be housed at the Los Angeles Zoo, she said.
Hahn said she has asked the parks and recreation department to put a fence back up around the lake. — Sapa-AP