Update: Alligator to Stay at Sisson Pond

Looks like Sisson Pond has a new resident.

Environmental officers from the state Department of Environmental Management (DEM) were unable to capture the cold-blooded reptile Monday, when the alligator was found for a second time in the southern end of the pond. 

"It was very elusive," said DEM spokeswoman Gail Mastrati. "They were not able to secure it." 

The alligator will remain at Sisson Pond for now unless the owners of the property request the reptile's removal, Mastrati said. This section of Sisson Pond, where the alligator was located, is privately owned.

"At this point, we were unable to secure the alligator," Mastrati said. "If contacted by the owners of the property and they request its removal, we would return and try to capture it. We would try to place it with a zoo."

According to DEM, the reptile is not expected to survive due to the region's colder temperatures. Alligators are native to warmer climates and typically cannot survive a New England winter.

"The chance of its survival is slim," said Mastrati. "It's unfortunate. Typically, people keep these alligators at pets and they tend to release them when they can no longer take care of it."

The alligator was first spotted by Newport resident Dan Cinotti on Saturday morning.

Cinotti, a bird naturalist and amateur photographer, was hiking along the pond near the electrical tower around 10 a.m., when he spotted something scaley perched on a rock. 

"I couldn't believe my eyes," he said. "My first thought was I better look again."

And, look again he did.

Cinotti also took out his camera and photographed the Sisson Pond alligator. He then phoned and left messages with both local police and DEM.

Members of both agencies visited the pond on Monday to investigate. The three-foot-long alligator was seen swimming in the southern section of the pond, not far from the town line.

Authorities are asking residents to be cautious and aware of the creature.

Police originally asked residents to stay away from the pond. However, authorities now say the alligator is considered less of a threat due to its size.

There is no swimming allowed in the pond, but people do hike and fish along the pond's shore.