Longview Lake alligator in temporary home at Animal Control

An unexpected and potentially dangerous guest was spotted at Longview Lake this week. A fisherman notified authorities about an alligator. It turned out to be a more than 4-foot-long young adult gator. “So, we immediately called the Missouri Department of Conservation, Kansas City Animal Control, and our parks department went out there,” said Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota. Rachel Garrison of Kansas City Animal Services was meeting with that team Thursday afternoon. The plan was to look for the gator Thursday afternoon when they spotted it. “We got lucky. So, we jumped right into action, chased him into the woods and got him.” The gator, now dubbed “Longview Lou,” has a converted dog grooming room at Kansas City Animal Control as his temporary home. It comes with heat lamps, a pen and a kiddie pool. A vet exam found Lou wasn’t starving at the lake. “We did on X-rays find what we believe to be bird bones in his stomach,” said Dr. Heather Kennedy. Eddie Adel, a regular fisherman at Longview Lake, said he had a good day catching fish Friday. “No alligators today. So, thank God, no snakes either,” he said. Lou won’t have to hunt for birds like he apparently did at the lake. We’re told his diet at Animal Control will feature an alligator “surf and turf” of fish and mice. Animal Control will hold Lou for five days in case anyone claims him, though it’s illegal to have an alligator as a pet in Kansas City. Animal Control has already reached out to a place in Florida where Lou could have a forever home.

JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. —

An unexpected and potentially dangerous guest was spotted at Longview Lake this week.

A fisherman notified authorities about an alligator. It turned out to be a more than 4-foot-long young adult gator.

“So, we immediately called the Missouri Department of Conservation, Kansas City Animal Control, and our parks department went out there,” said Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota.

Rachel Garrison of Kansas City Animal Services was meeting with that team Thursday afternoon.

The plan was to look for the gator Thursday afternoon when they spotted it.

“We got lucky. So, we jumped right into action, chased him into the woods and got him.”

The gator, now dubbed “Longview Lou,” has a converted dog grooming room at Kansas City Animal Control as his temporary home.

It comes with heat lamps, a pen and a kiddie pool. A vet exam found Lou wasn’t starving at the lake.

“We did on X-rays find what we believe to be bird bones in his stomach,” said Dr. Heather Kennedy.

Eddie Adel, a regular fisherman at Longview Lake, said he had a good day catching fish Friday.

“No alligators today. So, thank God, no snakes either,” he said.

Lou won’t have to hunt for birds like he apparently did at the lake.

We’re told his diet at Animal Control will feature an alligator “surf and turf” of fish and mice.

Animal Control will hold Lou for five days in case anyone claims him, though it’s illegal to have an alligator as a pet in Kansas City.

Animal Control has already reached out to a place in Florida where Lou could have a forever home.