There could be an alligator on the loose in Kewaskum, according to the police department
An alligator on the loose in Kewaskum? Possibly.
On Sunday, the Kewaskum Police Department received a report of an alligator in the Reigle Family Park pond, Chief Thomas Bishop said in a post on the department's Facebook page.
Police received assistance from the state's Department of Natural Resources, but the reptile was not located, according to the post.
"The DNR states that if there is an alligator it may be a black caiman alligator that was raised domestically, but then was set free by its owner," the post said.
If anyone sees the alligator, they should contact the police department (262-626-2323) or the DNR (1-888-936-7463).
The chief also asked potential witnesses to try to get a photo so it can be positively identified.
According to Britannica and an international database of crocodilian attacks, black caimans were reported to have attacked 43 people between 2008 and 2013. Adult male black caimans may be longer than 13 feet. It is not known how large the alligator may be.
According to Gen Anderson, general curator of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, black caimans (a separate species from alligator) are extremely rare in captivity in the United States and only located at three zoos: hers and others in Miami and Phoenix. She believes it's highly unlikely that the Wisconsin reptile is a black caiman.
If it is found, the DNR plans to relocate the alligator.
Check back for updates.
Contact Hannah Kirby at hannah.kirby@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @HannahHopeKirby.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Kewaskum Police receive report of alligator in Reigle Family Park pond
