Gator Invasion

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Aug 23, 2010 2:00PM

It may be the "dog days" of summer around these parts but along the North Branch of the Chicago River, everyone is talking about gators. For the second time in a month, a gator was spotted hanging out along the river near Belmont Ave. This gator, apparently a juvenile and three-to-five feet in length, was seen on the bank of the river by a family boating the river. Sararose Krenger said of the gator, "He was chilling there, there were ducks floating by...he was eyeing the ducks and moved his tail a little bit and decided not to go for it. The ducks were swimming closer, so we didn't know if they were just messing with him." On August 6, a smaller gator, described as "just a baby," was caught near the same location as Sunday's sighting. Unlike that first gator, the subject of yesterday's sighting managed to sneak away before animal control could get a hold of it. They'll be back at the river setting gator traps today. We, for one, welcome our new alligator overlords.