Chance the Snapper has arrived in Chicago waters, and it looks like it’s here to stay. No worries for this scaly creature, as Chicago locals seem to give it a celebrity treatment - not so bad for a warm welcome, right?
Locals and admirers swarmed for a glimpse, describing the celebrity gator as Chicago’s “Loch Ness monster” and the city’s unifying summer obsession, as The Cut details:
Since an alligator moved into Humboldt Park, on Chicago’s West Side, earlier this week, the Windy City has been plunged into a thirst fever the likes of which we have not seen since Hot Duck Mania swept New York City last fall.
The gator likely landed in the lagoon after it grew too long (and, you have to guess, too unruly) to live comfortably in a bathtub as an un-permitted pet. Chicago authorities received their first gator report around 7:20 a.m. on Tuesday, and have cordoned off the area with caution tape. A volunteer named Alligator Bob has (seemingly with official permission) been working tirelessly to catch the creature, paddling a canoe into the pond to drop baited traps.
image credit: via Chicago Animal Care and Control