Alligator found in Chicago River

First there was a wily coyote in Chicago's downtown. Then an ill-fated cougar on the North Side. Now authorities have captured an alligator in the Chicago River.

An employee of a metal manufacturing company found the 5-foot-long reptile Friday in the river's South Branch.

Anne Kent is director of the city's Animal Care and Control Department. She says the alligator didn't try to attack anyone and was safely pulled from the river by a reptile expert. She says the alligator was likely attracted by carp in that part of the river.

Officials say the alligator was probably a discarded pet. It's in the custody of the reptile expert.

A coyote surprised customers when it walked into a Chicago sandwich shop last year. And police shot and killed a cougar found roaming the city in April.