http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_227143507.html
Reggie -- the allusive, hard-to-capture, is-he-in-the-lake-or-isn't-he-? alligator -- who has charmed a city and infuriated wranglers who spent two years trying to catch him, flew the coop this morning at the L.A. Zoo.
No kidding! You can't keep a good crock down! It took 649 days to catch him in Lake Machado. Fortunately, during this alligator AWOL, it was easier to capture him.
Zoo officials noticed at 8 a.m. Wednesday that Reggie had climbed over a side retaining wall. Apparently Reggie didn't get the memo that the wall was supposed to keep him back. Reggie enjoyed a two-hour taste of freedom and was found waiting near a loading dock shortly before the Zoo opened at 10 a.m.
The good news (for people walking around the zoo) is that the 7.5 foot, 110 pound alligator was recaptured without incident. His retaining wall will be reinforced and Reggie will reportedly go back on display at noon Wednesday.
In captivity for less than a few months, and only put on public display less than a week ago (specifically August 9), Reggie is clearly young and restless. It's doubtful that he was hungry. Reggie, formerly of Lake Machado, is given a daily five-pound meal of meat, including chicken (his fave) and rats.
Reggie does live by himself (perhaps he was lonely and looking for a little companionship.)