Westfield River Gator Caught, Will Be Taken To Rescue

SPRINGFIELD, MA — An alligator that has been spotted periodically in the Westfield River was caught Tuesday.

West Springfield Animal Control posted a photo of the alligator on Facebook, saying the Massachusetts Environmental Police captured the gator and will transfer it to a reptile rescue. Animal control said the gator "appeared to be in good condition."

Said alligator has been seen several times in the river. A man who was fishing on Monday spotted it, WWLP reported.

The man sent video of the gator to the news station, saying it didn't move for a while and then swam off.

The West Springfield Environmental Committee said in November that it had been investigating reports of the gator.

"First, the size estimates have varied from 18" to four feet and was a pet released into the river as gators are not native to New England," the committee said on Facebook on Nov. 21. "Sightings over the summer focused at the vicinity of the Morgan/Sullivan Bridge (Westfield River)."