Chance the Snapper is caught after a wild week in Chicago Park
Chicago wildlife officials have finally captured the 5-foot-long alligator named Chance the Snapper. It may have taken them a week but the alligator is finally tamed. The alligator was spotted by city residents last Tuesday in Humboldt Park, on the city’s West Side. The animal was captured by Florida alligator expert Frank Robb.
Frank Robb owns a Crocodilian Specialist Services in St. Augustine. They had captured the alligator through 36 consecutive hours of tracking and surveillance. The city officials had also played their part as well. They had closed off the roads and paths near the lagoon. They had also asked the residents to avoid the park and not make any noise.
They had captured the rogue gator around 1:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday. Robb said that it was at that time he saw its eyes shine in the darkness. The gator made some ‘vocalizing’ at that time. Chance the Snapper weighs around 30-40 pounds. Robb had conducted a news conference at which the gator was revealed to the public.
A reporter had asked Robb to replicate the vocalizing sound. He replied with humor that “That’s a trade secret, buddy, sorry.” Robb had moved into position on the shore. He had used a fishing rod to capture the animal. The hook had captured to the base of the animal’s tail on first try. Robb said, “One cast and done.” Robb had used special gear to achieve this feat.
He had a fishing line that had a 200-pound test strength. Robb said that hook was set so loosely that it fell out when he grabbed the gator. He was asked how he was able to achieve this feat as many had failed, he responded by saying, “Everybody’s got different blessings. This is my blessing. This is what I’ve spent every day of my life doing for the past 24 years.”
