Stunned water officials discovered an ALLIGATOR basking in the sun on the side of an English lake today.
The hissing reptile – which is two feet long – was spotted clambering out of the water at Chew Valley reservoir in Somerset.
Staff at Bristol Water caught the alligator with a net before putting it in a box while 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.
“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.”
Since you are here
Since you are here, we wanted to ask for your help.
Journalism in Britain is under threat. The government is becoming increasingly authoritarian and our media is run by a handful of billionaires, most of whom reside overseas and all of them have strong political allegiances and financial motivations.
Our mission is to hold the powerful to account. It is vital that free media is allowed to exist to expose hypocrisy, corruption, wrongdoing and abuse of power. But we can't do it without you.
If you can afford to contribute a small donation to the site it will help us to continue our work in the best interests of the public. We only ask you to donate what you can afford, with an option to cancel your subscription at any point.
To donate or subscribe to The London Economic, click here.
The TLE shop is also now open, with all profits going to supporting our work.
The shop can be found here.
You can also SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER .
