Kayakers catch alligator after several sightings along Kiski River
KISKI TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) -- The search is over for an alligator that was spotted multiple times along the Kiski River in Armstrong County.
The concept of an alligator spending a summer week on the banks of the Kiski River is pretty strange to begin with. How the renegade reptile was recovered is equally as intriguing.
After eight days, Kiski Township's police chief gave the alligator all clear signal.
"Chomper is in custody," Kiski Township Police Chief Lee Bartolicius said.
First spotted July 31 by kayakers, "Chomper," as he now is affectionately known, was on the run -- or crawl. It seemed like everyone was on the lookout for the 4-foot beast on the groundwater and air.
"We have a local guy in the township that owns a helicopter, he was out on his own time."
So just how did the alligator get apprehended? All it took was two anglers, a canoe and some bait.
"I couldn't believe it. It's not something I would have personally done without specialized training -- pulling it out of the river and throwing it in the kayak with me," Bartolicius said.
The chief said the 4-foot gator, believed to be abandoned by its owner, is safe and will likely end up living at a reptile rescue center in the area. For now, the chief says he's just happy it ended without anyone getting hurt -- human or alligator.
"I'm grateful to these kayakers that they caught it safely. We didn't have somebody down there trying to take potshots at it," Bartolicius said.
In addition to the two fishermen who pulled Chompers into the boat, the chief says he'd like to thank all of those who participated in the search for the animal.
