A happy ending: Baby alligator discovered in Sheboygan Sunday has found a home

SHEBOYGAN (WITI) -- The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has announced the alligator found on Sunday, July 20th in a ditch behind a business -- near the Sheboygan River has found a new home.

The alligator will live at the Chicago Herpetological Society.

Sheboygan police officers and Sheboygan County Sheriff's deputies responded to reports of an alligator sighting on the morning of Sunday, July 20th. After capturing the animal, it was turned over to Michael Clutter, a Department of Natural Resources conservation warden.

"I sent several emails to zoos and other animal rescues looking for a home for the alligator. Staff at the Milwaukee County Zoo suggested I contact Small Scale Reptile Rescue and they offered to take the animal," said Clutter.

Small Scale Reptile Rescue is a Milwaukee area organization that works with shelters and animal control agencies to assist in the rehabilitation and finding suitable homes for abandoned and seized reptiles. The organization sends alligators to alligator farms but will not allow the general public to receive them. The organization transported the animal to the Chicago Herpetological Society this past Tuesday evening, July 22nd.

Earlier this week, FOX6 News reported the alligator was taken to the Pine View Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in Fredonia. Experts there say the animal was dehydrated, emaciated and stressed.

At that time, experts at the wildlife center said the alligator's future was uncertain, due to its condition.

Experts said it cannot stay in a reputable zoo, it isn't meant to be a pet and it cannot be returned to the wild because it is not equipped to survive there because it is likely to have spent its whole life in captivity.

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information on this alligator is asked to contact the DNR at 1-800-TIP-WDNR.

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