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Alligator eludes authorities in southern New Jersey

A small alligator has given authorities the slip in an area of southern New Jersey.

MULLICA TOWNSHIP, N.J — There's an alligator on the loose in southern New Jersey, and police have come up empty trying to find the elusive reptile, NJ.com reported.

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Police in Mullica Township said the alligator, which measures between 3 and 4 feet in length, was first spotted Tuesday. Officers and members of the Division of Fish and Wildlife searched the area with no success, NJ.com reported.

"We haven't had any contact," the spokesman said. "We did search for him -- or her -- to no avail."

Mullica Township police said they have not decided whether to resume the search Thursday, but did warn residents to be cautious about letting small pets outside unattended, NJ.com reported.

Last week, a man found a 2-foot caiman in a pond in Old Bridge.

According to a Department of Environmental Protection spokesman, people buy alligators in other states and release them into New Jersey's rivers and lakes when they get too big for aquariums, according to NJ.com. It's illegal to own an alligator in New Jersey.