‘Chance the Snapper,’ Chicago's elusive alligator, finally caught by expert trapper
The famous alligator spotted in Chicago’s Humboldt Park Lagoon is finally done with his 15 minutes of fame after being caught early Tuesday morning.
The male, 5-foot-3, 30-40 pound alligator deemed “Chance the Snapper” had Chicago authorities stumped for nearly one week. But after officials called in an alligator trapper from Florida, Frank Robb, they were finally able to get a hold of the reptile at around 1:30 a.m.
Robb, the owner of Crocodilian Specialist Services in St. Augustine, stood alongside the executive director of Chicago Animal Care and Control, Kelley Grandurski, during a press conference about the capture officials confirmed that the alligator was unharmed in the process.
“It was a very blessed experience,” Robb said in front of the media and intrigued residents. “[I] saw his eyes shine and caught him with a fishing rod.”
The expert had been looking for the crocodile for nearly 36 hours straight and said that he had gotten little sleep. The alligator, however, “was exhausted, too, I’m sure,” he said. Grandurski added that the alligator was healthy upon retrieval.
Although all of the news surrounding the gator’s capture is positive, people are still upset to see Chance the Snapper leave Chicago — especially after he made an appearance at the press conference wearing a red bowtie.
A final and MOST IMPORTANT update: Chance the Snapper was wearing a little bow tie like the prince he is. pic.twitter.com/eofCSZ1saD
— Kelly Bauer (@BauerJournalism) July 16, 2019
That someone took the time to put a bow tie on #chancethesnapper for his presser is the absolute, 100% best. Viva Chance the Snapper! #sweethomechicago https://t.co/1bs5uxi5rd
— swatymyers (@swatymyers) July 16, 2019
One person took to the comments section of the Chicago Police Department’s Facebook page to say, “I am going to miss him. He was the best kind of news.” Others took to Twitter to take part in making a meme of the animal nicknamed after Chicago-native Chance the Rapper and to comment on his fame.
couldn’t resist #ChanceTheSnapper pic.twitter.com/pRqU2hu0jl
— Jordan💋 (@jorjorbinks16) July 16, 2019
I hope #ChanceTheSnapper isn’t camera shy... 😬 pic.twitter.com/j5upGbSvKe
— Kelly Davis (@kellykdavis) July 16, 2019
You think Chance the Snapper could drop a verse for #TheChi Season 3 soundtrack? https://t.co/kFlVzTa9mB
— The Chi on Showtime (@SHOTheChi) July 16, 2019
Two things:
1. To see the frenzy surrounding an alligator just tickles some of us from the SE corner of the country. Typical Tuesday down here.
2. This bow tie and moniker are making me want a pet alligator 🐊 #chancethesnapper— Mom In Heels (@kanova) July 16, 2019
When does the collab mixtape drop @chancetherapper? #chancethesnapper
— The SoxSide Boys (@SoxsideBoys) July 16, 2019
Chance the Rapper hasn’t publicly commented on the hilarious moniker. However, he did retweet a photo of the adorable gator.
We have a photo of Chance the Snapper and HE'S ADORABLE.https://t.co/UJqhBaiMmy #HumboldtGator #GatorWatch2K19 @chancetherapper pic.twitter.com/Mo1AsIcFGn
— Block Club Chicago (@BlockClubCHI) July 16, 2019
As for the now-famous alligator trapper, Robb was invited to throw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field on Tuesday night.
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