BOSTON \u2014 At New England Wildlife Center, Greg Mertz is closely examining the tiny alligator recovered Wednesday night from the Charles River.<\/p>\n
The gator, now called Charles for the River where it was found, became something of a local internet sensation when video of the animal hit the net.<\/p>\n
Now in Weymouth, Charles is given a check-up, and it looks like Charles is sick. The gator will be treated with antibiotics.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a little bit on the weak side,\u201d said Greg Mertz at the NE Wildlife Center. \u201cOverall, we think this guy has a respiratory infection.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was just hanging out. It was really cold. It wasn\u2019t moving around too much. I just scooped it up,\u201d<\/p>\n
Joe Kenney of Joe\u2019s Crazzy Critters used a strong flashlight to find Charles on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was just hanging out. It was really cold. It wasn\u2019t moving around too much. I just scooped it up,\u201d Kenney said.<\/p>\n
Charles was sitting at the bottom of the river, in 18 inches of water, where it was trying to keep warm. The gator\u2019s coloring gave him away.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow much longer could he have survived out there?\u201d I asked Kenney.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy initial thought when I was going out there was I was not going to find a living alligator,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s illegal to privately own an alligator in Massachusetts, and it\u2019s thought someone dumped Charles close to where they found him.<\/p>\n
Looking forward, Joe hopes Charles will live to become an animal ambassador, and at New England Wildlife Center, they hope Charles will teach a valuable lesson.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot every and any animal is a pet animal. Alligators are just not pet animals; they need to be in the wild,\u201d Greg Mertz said.<\/p>\n
If Charles survives, Joe Kenney hopes to use the gator as an animal ambassador until it grows too large to remain in his care.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, it is hoped Charles will live out its life in a wild animal sanctuary.<\/p>\n
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. <\/p>\n
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