Strange sighting: Alligator seen crossing street in Montreal

MONTREAL — An alligator sighting north of the border took locals by surprise.

Mayssam Samaha was having coffee with a friend at a Montreal cafe when she did a double take as she watched a small alligator slowly cross a busy street Sunday afternoon, CTV News reported.

Samaha ran outside to offer assistance as the alligator slid underneath a parked vehicle. Authorities were called, but before they arrived on the scene, the alligator’s owner appeared to retrieve it.

Just an alligator crossing Jarry, no big deal 🐊 #montreal #shook #mtlmoments pic.twitter.com/EEMch6aGK1
— mayssam samaha (@mayssamaha) December 15, 2019

Montreal’s mayor gave the public an update about the unusual incident on Twitter, saying the alligator’s owner has the proper license and uses the animal for an educational project.

⚠️ L’alligator qui traversait la rue Jarry dans Villeray a été retourné à ses propriétaires (il a tous ses permis et fait partie d’un projet éducatif) Merci aux citoyen.nes qui nous ont signalé la situation et aux https://t.co/QW4ug0idBT du @SPVM qui ont réagi rapidement. #polmtl
— Valérie Plante (@Val_Plante) December 15, 2019