Baby ALLIGATOR discovered in lake in Somerset and is caught by reservoir worker with a net
Stunned staff discovered the reptile at Chew Valley reservoir in Somerset
AN ALLIGATOR was caught basking in the sun at the side of an English lake today.
The hissing reptile - which is two feet long - was spotted clambering out of the water by stunned staff at Chew Valley reservoir in Somerset.
Staff at Bristol Water caught the alligator with a net before putting it in a box and waiting for a member of the RSPCA to collect it.
It is unknown how the exotic reptile, which is native to the Americas and can grow more than 11ft, ended up in rural England.
The lake where it was discovered is more than ten metres deep in places and is a popular spot for fly fishing for trout and sailing.
John Harris, fisheries and recreation officer at Bristol Water, said: "One of our project engineers was surveying the overspill at Chew Valley Lake and on inspection he saw a reptile bathing in the sun.
"We went down there and caught it and put it in the container. Its mouth was open and it was hissing but I don't think it was dangerous.
"We're not exactly sure what reptile it is, whether it's a cayman, alligator or crocodile, but we think it's an alligator."
He added: "We've found terrapins in the past, but to see a reptile like this is very surprising."
A spokesperson for Bristol Water added: "It was found at Chew Valley Lake by a project engineer.
"It was captured with a net and is currently at Woodford Lodge waiting to be collected by the RSPCA.";
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Last month a massive alligator attacked a homeless man while he was washing himself in a Florida pond – reportedly biting off his testicle, finger and toes.
Fredric Iman, 68, described how the nine-foot alligator grabbed hold of him from behind when he was taking his usual, morning bath on Monday in Port Charlotte.
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