Alligator found under escalator at Chicago airport

CHICAGO: A small alligator found under an escalator at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport has left authorities puzzled.

A maintenance worker discovered the alligator, which is about a foot (30 centimeters) long, on Friday in Terminal 3, Chicago Police spokesman Jose Estrada said Sunday.

An officer captured the reptile by putting a trash can over it.

``We don't know where it came from or how long it'd been residing in the airport facilities,'' Estrada said. ``It's one of those random incidents.''

The gator is now being cared for by the Chicago Herpetological Society.

``It was in pretty bad shape,'' said Jason Hood, the group's president. ``We're trying to get it healthy and find a place for it.''

He said the gator would likely head to an out-of-state alligator farm once authorities give the organization the all-clear to release the animal.

No one was injured.