Alligator Roaming Brainerd Bike Trail Captured

BRAINERD (AP) - Anyone using a bike trail through the Brainerd lakes area might expect to encounter some wildlife along the way. But not like this.

Crow Wing County Sheriff's Lt. Joe Meyer says it's the first time his department has gotten a call about an alligator.

Meyer says his deputies weren't that eager to volunteer to capture the 3-foot gator on the bike trail southwest of Brainerd. So, the department called on the Safari North Wildlife Park near Brainerd last weekend to help grab the reptile, usually found in more southern locations.

Meyer says the alligator was probably someone's pet that escaped or was illegally released.