LAKE MICHIGAN — A four-foot alligator has been found and rescued in Lake Michigan after someone reported it swimming near Waukegan, Illinois. The alligator, with its mouth taped shut, was found Monday morning.

It is unclear how the alligator was caught in the chilly waters, but with the help of the Waukegan Police Animal Control the animal was safely moved to the Wildlife Discovery Center.

Even so, officials said Waukegan will conduct an investigation as to whether the alligator has been abandoned.