Gator Break
Lest you think it is only capuchin monkeys who are capable of Houdini-like escapes from captivity, we bring you the troubling story of Reggie, the jail-breaking alligator. You may have heard about Reggie. He eluded capture in a California lake for two years, despite the efforts of a whole bunch of expert gator catchers. When he was finally nabbed, he was transported to a new home at the Los Angeles Zoo. This morning zoo personnel look in on Reggie in his cheerful, new pond.
Reggie, however, had left. Disappeared. Gone on the lam. Bolted.
Keepers discovered the 7 1/2-foot gator was missing from his personal exhibit pond at around 7:30 a.m. and a search of every rock and bush proved he wasn't anywhere in the display.
Reggie was finally found near a loading dock shortly before the zoo's 10 a.m. opening time, spokesman Jason Jacobs said.
He had managed to climb a mesh-covered side wall of the exhibit and crawl several hundred yards.
"They're very good climbers. Alligators are superbly adapted," Jacobs said.
"It proves to us that he's a very smart, healthy gator," Jacobs said.
Reggie was placed in quarantine while a mesh overhang was added to his exhibit to prevent another escape. He was expected to be returned to the display later Wednesday, and staffers planned to keep a close eye on him.
It is quite obvious that Reggie planned to steal a delivery truck and head home to the lake. Now all our readers can sleep soundly knowing Reggie is back home. But we bet you won't because gators can climb walls. Think you're safe on the second floor? Sleep tight!
By feeblemind, Wednesday, 15 August , 2007 @ 5:42 pm
A runaway monkey is one thing. An alligator is something else. Would it not be better to turn Reggie into a suitcase, a pair of cowbot boots and exotic restaurant fare?
By Gaius, Wednesday, 15 August , 2007 @ 5:53 pm
Alligator sausage is delicious. Good in chili, too.