Onslow - Saba:
Police officers and wildlife representatives in North Carolina, USA, have arrested a massive alligator after it was found lying on a busy road in Onslow County.
The county sheriff's office cheerfully stated in a press release that the 10-foot, 400-pound alligator, "Baby," was "ignoring a no-loitering sign," prompting them to "charge him" with bogus charges, including "suspected of being an undocumented dinosaur" and "loitering for the purpose of basking."
Rescue personnel were able to safely remove the alligator after covering its eyes with a towel to prevent it from making its usual defensive gestures, taping its mouth shut, and then taking photos with it before transporting it to a safe area.
Sheriff's Office spokesman Trevor Daniel explained that the alligator was massive, roughly the height of a basketball hoop, noting that the photos do not fully reflect its true size.
Despite criticism from some who believed the alligator posed no danger, Daniel emphasized that leaving the reptile on the road could have run it over or caused panic among passersby.
After determining that there was no additional risk, authorities decided to release "Baby" without formal charges. He was transported to an area near a military base where he could safely live in his natural habitat.
Alligators of this size are rare in the area, and experts believe "Baby" may have traveled several miles before being found, perhaps in search of a warm spot to sunbathe.
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