Alligators In New York City Sewers ... How About Brooklyn's Prospect Park?

PARK SLOPE, NY — Reptile rescuers snapped right to it just in the nick of time.

A very lethargic four-foot-long alligator in poor condition was pulled from the lake at Prospect Park on Sunday, the New York City Parks and Recreation Department said.

Park maintenance staff spotted the alligator in the lake on Sunday morning and alerted Parks Enforcement Patrol and Urban Park Rangers, who captured and took the reptile to Animal Care Centers of New York City, according to the agency.

The reptile, which was possibly cold-shocked, has since been transported to the Bronx Zoo for rehabilitation.

"We’re grateful to our Parks Enforcement Patrol and Urban Park Rangers who snapped into action to capture and transport the alligator," a rep told Patch."Thankfully no one was harmed and the animal is being evaluated."

Joseph Puleo, vice president of District Council 37, which represents the workers who rescued the alligator, told The New York Post.

He told the outlet that the workers were notified by passersby who saw it, adding, “It wasn’t moving really at all.”

The Urban Park Rangers respond to around 500 reports of animal conditions per year citywide.

In a statement to Patch, the parks department noted how parks are not suitable homes for animals not indigenous to the parks, whether they are domestic or exotic.

"In addition to the potential danger to park goers this could have caused, releasing non-indigenous animals or unwanted pets can lead to the elimination of native species and unhealthy water quality," the statement read. "In this case, the animal was found very lethargic and possibly cold shocked since it is native to warm, tropical climates."

Releasing animals into city parks is an illegal act.

The agency urged anyone who sees an abandoned animal, to leave it where it is and call 311 or locate an Urban Park Ranger. They should alert a ranger and tell them what kind of animal it is, the size and color of the animal, and its observed condition. Is it dead, acting disoriented, bleeding, or just walking around?

The more information, the better.

Urban Park Rangers respond to around 500 reports of animal conditions per year citywide, the agency said.