NAMPA, Idaho — The Nampa Police Department helped Idaho Fish and Game on an interesting call. In a tweet, the department said it was a first finding the six-foot alligator, which was hanging out under a trailer.
"We sometimes herd cows, horses, occasionally deal w/deer and even a moose last year," said Nampa Police in the tweet.
This is Nampa, IDAHO not Tampa, FLORIDA, but we found ourselves helping Idaho Fish & Game on this call last night.
— Nampa PD (@NampaPolice1) August 6, 2020
We sometimes herd cows,horses,occasionally deal w/deer and even a moose last year.
but a 6’ alligator?
In Nampa?
This was a first.#OhSnap #SeeYaLater #NampaGator 🐊 pic.twitter.com/o12L6Le612
The alligator, named Gomer, is back home at the Idaho Reptile Zoo. Gomer and his friend Douglas managed to get out of a temporary pen while the zoo is moving to a new location. Douglas stayed put, but Gomer went on an adventure.
He ended up under a nearby trailer where he was found by Nampa Police and IDFG. The zoo's owner, Tyler Messina, says he is just glad to have Gomer back safe without incident.
"We hope to let things calm down soon so we can back to educating the public and concentrating on more of the positive of these animals, than the negative," said Messina.
The alligators are now kept in a closed room with motion detectors until their new habitat is ready. The zoo is moving in the old Greenhurst Nursery and Garden site off of Happy Valley Road south of Nampa.
The zoo's Facebook page was inundated with well-wishes from supporters after word got out. Messina says the escape is the first in the 10 years he has been in business.
