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Authorities Search Passaic River After Alligator Sighting in Elmwood Park

Elmwood Park New Jersey

Update: According to officials, the alligator has been captured.

Authorities are searching for an alligator after a fisherman reported the alligator sighting while he was fishing this morning in Elmwood Park.

Police were called at approximately 8:20 a.m. after a fisherman spotted the alligator feet away from where he was fishing for carp.

The fisherman told police at first thought it was a snapping turtle or a floating until he saw the alligator's whole body. 

Responding officials have confirmed that the creature in question is an American alligator, approximately five to seven feet long.

At this time it is unknown how the alligator got into the river but police believe the alligator was someone's pet which grew too big so they opted to dumped it in the river.

County animal control officers and state Division of Fish and Wildlife authorities are at the scene.

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