NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 717.255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
23 July 2003

ITALIAN LAKE ALLIGATOR CAUGHT

Harrisburg, PA—Mayor Stephen R. Reed this evening announced that the young alligator living in Italian Lake was caught this evening by a professional fisherman retained by the city. The approximately 2-year old alligator will be temporarily housed at the Dauphin County Animal Rehab Shelter until he can be permanently placed in a new home.

Reed said the juvenile alligator was first sighted in March of this year, and then repeatedly seen in recent weeks. Nicknamed ‘Tony’ by neighborhood residents, the alligator had been the subject of an intensive animal rescue effort by the city over the past several weeks, involving an array of traps, special searches by water rescue personnel using high-tech equipment, and other measures suggested by professional animal control personnel experienced in reptile captures.

The Mayor said the alligator was likely dumped in Italian Lake earlier this year by his owner after he grew too big to keep in a home aquarium. The reptile surivived the freezing cold temperatures of March and April and became more active as the weather warmed, allowing for frequent public sightings.

Reed said Tony was caught by professional fisherman Josh Snyder, who used a special snare designed for the effort. Snyder transferred Tony to the city’s Animal Control Officer, who this evening is placing him in the care of the Animal Rehab Shelter, who will find a good home for him to be placed in.

“Tony certainly seemed to capture the fancy and attention of midstaters over the past few weeks,” said Mayor Reed. “Though he never posed a threat to any people or domesticated pets, it was important to us that he be caught and placed in an environment more conducive to his long-term survival. That has now occurred and the saga of the Italian Lake alligator is now concluded. We wish Tony well in all his future endeavors!”

XXX