DECATUR, Ill. – Residents were taken aback when an unexpected visitor made its way into a front yard on Wednesday. Macon County Animal Control and Care Center received a report of an alligator sighting, leaving locals bewildered by the unusual encounter.
According to reports, upon arriving at the 900 block of East Cantrell, Animal Control Wardens were met with the astonishing sight of a reptile measuring approximately 3 1/2 feet in length. Authorities are still uncertain whether the creature is an alligator or a caiman, and where it originated from.
Despite falling outside the jurisdiction of Animal Control, the reptile was captured due to the specific circumstances. It is now being held temporarily until the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) can take possession of the creature, as per a press release from Macon County Animal Control and Care Center.
The origins of the reptile remain a mystery, as it is not native to the area. There were no apparent injuries or abnormalities observed on the creature, leaving residents wondering how it ended up in their quiet neighborhood.
Captivating footage of the alligator’s capture by Animal Control in Decatur circulated widely on social media, with the video being shared on the popular 217 Problems TikTok page. The unexpected encounter has left locals both amazed and curious about the strange occurrence in their community.
