UPDATE: Alligator found in Lake Michigan is a boy with stunted growth says vets

UPDATE: Alligator found in Lake Michigan is a boy with stunted growth says vets

Updated: 3:11 p.m. October 10, 2018

GURNEE, Ill. (CBS 58) -- The famous alligator has now undergone testing at Wildlife Discovery Center and is officially a boy. Vets say he is 52 inches long and weighs 16.3 pounds which is light for a gator his size.

X-rays came back negative for any fishing hooks or lines in the gator's stomachs or intestines but also showed the gator hasn't eaten in a while. 

Veterinarians believe his growth is stunted which is common for gators kept in captivity, but overall they believe the gator is in good shape and they hope to integrate him with the rest of the gators they have next summer.

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Posted: 9:23 p.m. October 9, 2018

GURNEE, Ill. (CBS 58) -- An alligator found in Lake Michigan is recovering.

He was discovered by a kayaker on the shore of Waukegan, Illinois and taken to a nearby wildlife center.

They think the alligator was dumped by its owner in the lake.

"I think sometimes people will get these animals without really doing their homework and have no idea what they're in for," one worker said.

If the alligator's blood work comes back normal, he'll stay at the Wildlife Discovery Center in Lake Forest with four other gators who are already there.

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