In Tennessee, a fisherman thought he had caught a fish in Lake Norris, but something surprising happened.
Wildlife officer Rick Roberts received a call from a person describing the shocking incident.
According to Associated Press Troopers with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency described the 3- to 4-foot-long alligator that was caught by surprise by a fisherman, according to the report.
The angler said he caught it with a swimbait.
The report noted that alligators are not native to that part of Tennessee and are classified as a Tier 1 wildlife species dangerous to humans.
Alligators may only be possessed with a special permit for exhibition or commercial propagation purposes.
The reptile was taken to Little Ponderosa Zoo and Rescue, an exotic animal rescue facility in Clinton, Tennessee, Matthew Cameron, TWRA's regional communications coordinator, was quoted in the report.
“While the origins of the crocodile are unclear, it is clear that it may have been illegally confined and released into Norris Lake,” Cameron said, adding that “operators are currently searching for a permanent home for this deadly creature.”