Alligator found roaming Manhattan streets dies unexpectedly

NEW YORK, July 24 (UPI) -- A small alligator found roaming the streets of Manhattan on Thursday died unexpectedly on Friday, officials said.

The 3-foot-long gator was spotted at Ninth Street at W. 205 Street in Manhattan, the New York City Police Department said. Officials aren't sure how the reptile got there, but speculate it may have been someone's abandoned pet.

Animal care officials took in the young gator and gave it a name -- CockadoodleQ. Friday, the animal suddenly died as officials were trying to arrange custody for wildlife rehabilitation experts.

"We have no knowledge of the conditions CockadoodleQ had lived in prior to his arrival that contributed to his death. Exotic animals such as alligators are illegal to have as pets in New York City," Animal Care and Control told USA Today.

When it was spotted Thursday, witnesses said it walked through the busy New York streets without much fear of traffic.

"He was pretty feisty," said Deputy Inspector Chris Morello said Thursday.

Alligators are quite common in more tropical locations, such as Florida and Louisiana, but aren't anywhere to be found in the wild in New York City -- leading officials to believe the animal perhaps belonged to someone as an exotic pet.