Officials in Missouri have announced that an alligator that vanished almost two weeks ago outside of a Kansas City-area school has been found. The missing gator, named Alex, was visiting Lakeview Middle School with Thorni Ridge Exotics, a traveling petting zoo, when it disappeared.
Alex was located near the middle school and is now under the care of the KC Pet Project, an area animal shelter. The discovery came about 11 days after the alligator went missing.
“It was found just right outside of the school,” said Tori Fugate, a representative of KC Pet Project. Fugate explained that the shelter team received an anonymous tip on Monday, which led to Alex’s recovery.
Our team just happened to be close to the school, so they rushed over there very quickly and were able to secure the alligator.”
The nearly 2-year-old gator was at the school for an end-of-the-year event when it escaped. The Park Hill School District informed Lakeview families about the gator’s recovery in a letter they sent out.
Animal Services holds on to the newly-recovered alligator outside the school. Photo courtesy KC Pet Project
“One of our custodial staff at our school found the alligator outside of the back door this morning. It is alive and still has its mouth taped shut from when it went missing from the petting zoo,” the school officials shared.
KC Pet Project expressed shock that Alex had survived with its mouth taped shut for the entire duration of its disappearance. “We’re going to have a veterinarian do an exam on the alligator. We’re just very fortunate that it’s still alive,” Fugate said.
Eric Smith, the owner of Thorni Ridge Exotics, was relieved to hear that Alex was found in good condition. “We never quit looking for him,” he stated. Smith noted that his team conducts thousands of events and has never had an animal go missing before. He suggested that Alex might have had help escaping. “The only way he would have gotten out is for someone to have lifted him out of his enclosure,” Smith explained.
Alligators are able to climb, but there is a sheet of aluminum on the side, which prevents them from climbing out.”
Regardless of how Alex escaped, Smith expressed his gratitude for the alligator’s safe return. “I’m thrilled we got him back,” he said.
The Park Hill School District did not obtain a permit from the city to host the traveling zoo, which could result in a citation. The KC Pet Project also mentioned a pending citation for the petting zoo. Smith remarked that his team was aware of the potential citation but emphasized that it is the responsibility of the event organizers to secure the necessary permits and licenses.
The wily alligator was finally captured. Photo courtesy KC Pet Project
KC Pet Project shared the news on Facebook, stating, “The missing alligator has been located, alive, and was picked up by our Animal Services Division. We received an anonymous tip that it was discovered to be outside of the school, on the first day of summer school.”
The incident occurred during a petting zoo event at Lakeview Middle School. Alex’s mouth had been taped shut for the event, and the tape remained intact when he was found. The shelter team is investigating to determine Alex’s whereabouts during his disappearance. An exotic pet veterinarian will examine Alex to assess his condition.
For now, Alex is safe and back in care, much to the relief of all involved. The school district, petting zoo and KC Pet Project continue to work together to prevent any future incidents, ensuring the safety of both animals and students. Watch below for a look at this runaway alligator!
