Alligator still missing in Northland after 'wild incident' at college

Lina PortmanMay 25, 2024

0 1 minute read

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Northland parents remain searching for a extinct alligator.

Kansas City Animal Control confirms the alligator got loose during a school event Thursday and is still missing.

A spokesperson for the Park Hill School District describes this as a “wild incident” and one they've never seen before. The 14-inch alligator went missing from a Lakeview Middle School petting zoo Thursday morning.

Kansas City firefighters joined animal control officers Thursday to search the wooded area near the school. As of Friday, they were still patrolling for the creature.

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The school district also gave a photo of the alligator to FOX4. It shows the reptile with its mouth taped shut, a gesture intended to protect people. Park Hill Schools confirms the alligator was part of an impromptu petting zoo at the school and was used to celebrate the end of the school year. The district notified the parents of the animal's disappearance via email Thursday evening.

“These animals are very fast. They can cover a lot of ground very quickly,” said Tori Fugate, spokesperson for the KC Pet Project.

Fugate said animal control officers are still searching for the alligator and are hoping to get tips from the public. Fugate also said the school district does not have a permit for the petting zoo and the district could get a citation for that.

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“(The school) is right off 64th Street. There is a grocery store across the street. There is a lot of traffic. We are concerned that the animal could unfortunately be hit by a car,” Fugate said.

Fugate and others worry about the alligator's safety, especially since its mouth is taped shut, limiting its ability to protect itself from predators.

If you have any useful information that can help you find this alligator, please call Kansas City Animal Control. This agency accepts calls at 816-710-0101 or anonymous tips through its website.

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