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Petting Zoo Alligator Missing After Escape

Incident Date:
05/24/2024
Location:
Kansas City, MO - USA
Facility Name:
Facility Type:
Non-accredited Facility (RSZ)
Incident Category:
Escape of animal (EA)
Species:
Reptiles
Animal:
Alligator
Animal disposition:
Other

Summary:

Kansas City, MO – Parents in the Northland area remain on the lookout for a missing alligator. Kansas City Animal Control confirms the alligator got loose from a school event and is still unaccounted for. The 14-inch alligator vanished from a petting zoo at Lakeview Middle School on Thursday morning.

The school district also gave a photo of the gator to FOX4. The photo shows the reptile with his mouth taped shut, a move meant to protect people, but this would also lead to the alligator potentially starving to death if he is not rescued soon. Park Hill Schools confirm the gator was part of an impromptu petting zoo at the school, and a means of celebrating the end of the school year. The district notified parents of the missing animal via email on Thursday evening. Apparently, the school district didn’t have a permit for the petting zoo, and the district might get a citation for that.

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

Action take by Born Free USA:

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