Search for missing alligator in Kansas City's Northland called off

Search efforts for the missing alligator at a Northland middle school in Kansas City were called off Tuesday.

“We really haven't received a lot of information regarding this case,” said Tori Fugate, KC Pet Project communications director. “In the best interest of everyone, everyone's time, and the other cases we are currently working on, we have decided to end the large-scale efforts. We will continue to patrol the area.

The 14-inch alligator was brought to the Northland on May 23 by a mobile petting zoo as part of a holiday party at Lakeview Middle School. After the little reptile's big jailbreak, KC Pet Project employees and firefighters searched the scene for days, aided by a drone from the Kansas City Fire Department.

“A lot of people were watching us,” Fugate said. “The next day, our agents searched for hours. They were literally covered in ticks after searching all the creek beds around the area.

No alligator sightings have been reported by community members despite multiple calls, Fugate said. A Northland resident called about a dead animal on the side of the road over the weekend, which turned out to be a turtle.

Employees routinely search for 30 to 40 missing animals a day, Fugate said.

Alligators can grow up to 10 to 14 feet long depending on their gender. The one that escaped was 14 inches long and had its mouth closed at the time.

Fugate previously told the Star that concerns about the alligator's welfare were far greater than any danger posed to the public. Without a way to eat or drink, it's unlikely the alligator could survive in the wild, Fugate said.

Although it's possible the tape came off, Fugate still isn't optimistic about the alligator's fate.

However, KC Pet Project has not confirmed that the alligator died.

“It appears to be electrical tape that it may have been secured with, so if the tape gets wet, it's possible it could come loose,” Fugate said. “But it’s a very small animal, so there are predators that could get it here.” All kinds of things can happen to the animal.

The KC Pet Project's animal control division is still pursuing legal action against all parties involved, including the mobile petting zoo, which did not have the proper permits, Fugate said.

Alligators are illegal in Kansas City, Missouri.