Alligator discovered in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Lake
A 4-foot-long alligator dubbed “Godzilla” was rescued from Prospect Park on Sunday, a specimen the Parks Department believes was illegally released into the Brooklyn greenspace.
Park maintenance staff spotted the “very lethargic” cold-blooded reptile in “poor condition” in the Prospect Park Lake on Sunday morning and immediately alerted the Parks Enforcement Patrol and Urban Park Rangers, a Parks spokeswoman said.
Members of those units captured the gator and transported it to Animal Care Centers of New York City, which bequeathed the moniker from the storied Japanese flicks. Godzilla has since been moved to the Bronx Zoo, where he was being evaluated Sunday evening.
No one was injured while the alligator fought to survive in the cold lake.
“In addition to the potential danger to parkgoers this could have caused, releasing nonindigenous animals or unwanted pets can lead to the elimination of native species and unhealthy water quality,” said Parks spokeswoman Meghan Lalor.
“In this case, the animal was found very lethargic and possibly cold-shocked since it is native to warm, tropical climates.”
American alligators do not live in the wild north of North Carolina, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The reptiles rely on the climate and sunlight to keep them warm, and stop feeding when temperatures dip below 55 degrees. They are normally dormant throughout the warmer southern winter.
The Parks Department noted releasing animals into city parks is illegal and if anyone spots an abandoned animal, they should call 311 or notify an urban park ranger.
