May 26, 2007 5:34 am US/Pacific
Reggie The Alligator Resting Comfortably At Zoo
LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―
Reggie the alligator was resting comfortably Friday in his new digs at the Los Angeles Zoo, officials said.
The 7-foot gator is expected to undergo a physical examination next week to make sure it is healthy, and to definitively determine the beast's gender, according to the zoo's reptile expert, Ian Recchio.
Zoo officials are also expected to decide in the coming weeks whether Reggie will be sent elsewhere or remain in Los Angeles with the zoo's six other American alligators and two Chinese gators.
"This whole situation is still so fresh and we're still trying to catch our breath," Recchio said. "We're just concerned about getting him comfortable right now and just dealing with the media attention."
After nearly two years of eluding gator hunters, Reggie was captured Thursday afternoon while sunning himself on the bank of Harbor City's Lake Machado.
Authorities believe a San Pedro man who was raising exotic animals at his home dumped Reggie into the lake two years ago.
After the gator was spotted in the lake in Ken Malloy Harbor Regional Park, parts of the shoreline were fenced off and signs were posted warning visitors of the alligator's presence.
Councilwoman Janice Hahn said $180,000 was spent on security and trying to catch Reggie, who drew legions of fans to the lake as one effort after another to corral the reptile failed.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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