Alligator found on shore of Grant Park Beach in South Milwaukee

SOUTH MILWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- MADACC is helping a scaley rescue recover after he was found far away from his natural habitat.

South Milwaukee Police Department received a call Monday about a small alligator, seen on the Lake Michigan shore at Grant Park Beach.

"The caller showed us where the alligator was, and we picked it up," said Officer Maria Neuharth.

"We taped its mouth shut, just to make sure it didn't bite us, and walked it back to the car," said Officer Logan Staege.

The gator is now Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control Commission's newest reptile resident.

It was a first for the responding officers, but MADACC says it's not an anomaly.

"It might be like, our fourth or fifth this year already," said MADACC'S community engagement coordinator, Kate Hartlund.

Despite his small stature, alligators shouldn't be in the Milwaukee area at all.

"It is illegal to have exotic animals in any of the 19 municipalities in Milwaukee County, so it definitely is not legal to have that animal, but my guess is somebody probably dumped it," Hartlund said.

Now, the gator is under a heat lamp attempting to warm up.

If he wasn't found, he may not have made it through Monday night.

"It is very malnourished, definitely not well taken care of," Hartlund said.

Thankfully, he's in good hands, and will soon head to an exotic animal rehab in Illinois.

"He cannot be adopted, he cannot be fostered, he will not be euthanized," Hartlund clarified.

The gator guest is a reminder that exotic animals need to be rehomed to rescues - not released in the wild.

"If you're big enough to get an exotic animal, be big enough to do the right thing when you can no longer keep it," Hartlund said.

If you do spot an exotic animal, call animal control or your local police as soon as possible. It could save its life.