DETROIT, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Potholes and unemployment usually top Detroit’s complaint list, but now the city’s got a new problem with sharper teeth.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) confirmed that a September 26 report of an alligator spotted at Belle Isle State Park was “credible and consistent.”

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Lynn Blasey, a Hamtramck resident, snapped photos of the gator last Friday and even provided geo-location data to back it up. Officials haven’t seen or caught the scaly squatter yet, but they’re not laughing it off either.

Not just a fish story.

Social media chatter has spiraled into reports of boa constrictors and other jungle nightmares lurking on the island, but the DNR isn’t buying it. “There is no evidence to support this claim,” officials clarified.

How did it get here?

No, gators don’t migrate north for the fall color tour. The DNR suspects someone dumped it illegally – a bad move for the animal, the ecosystem, and the joggers who just wanted a peaceful run. Officials remind the public that releasing non-native species is against the law and puts stress on both local wildlife and public safety. They also warn that even a smaller gator can be unpredictable and dangerous.

What’s next?

For now, the DNR is monitoring the situation and considering next steps, which could include a capture operation if the alligator surfaces again. In the meantime, visitors are urged to enjoy Belle Isle with caution: stay alert, don’t feed the animal, and avoid approaching it.