Residents of Martha’s Vineyard are scratching their heads after a rather unexpected discovery at Sepiessa Point Reservation. A local resident stumbled upon a nearly 5-foot-long alligator carcass while out walking his dog, sparking a wave of speculation among the island community. The Massachusetts Environmental Police (MEP) have taken on the case, with West Tisbury Animal Control initially responding to the scene before handing it over to MEP for further investigation. Officer Kate Hoffman of West Tisbury Animal Control informed Boston.com that the alligator carcass was found in a coastal nature reserve on the island.
The resident who made the peculiar discovery, Dave Kelliher, a long-time islander, shared his experience with The Martha’s Vineyard Times. Kelliher described finding the alligator with its limbs still flexible and no foul odor, leading him to believe that the creature had recently passed away. Adding to the mystery, most of the alligator’s skin was missing, prompting residents to speculate on various theories. Some believe that the skin was either consumed by other wildlife or removed for potential sale or tanning purposes. Kelliher suggested that the alligator may have been a former pet abandoned at Sepiessa Point Reservation due to its size. However, the idea of exotic pets on the island raised eyebrows among locals, questioning the plausibility of such a scenario.
Matt Pelikan, a community naturalist at BiodiversityWorks, weighed in on the situation, acknowledging the changing landscape due to climate change but expressing skepticism about the alligator’s presence on the island. Pelikan noted that while strange things can happen, the likelihood of an alligator making its way to Martha’s Vineyard independently is slim. He emphasized that the irresponsible release of a pet is a more plausible explanation for the discovery. It is worth mentioning that owning any crocodilian species, including alligators, is illegal in Massachusetts, adding another layer of complexity to the case. Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to contact MEP for further assistance.
As the investigation unfolds, the community at Sepiessa Point Reservation awaits answers and closure regarding the mysterious appearance of the alligator carcass. The peculiar nature of the discovery has sparked conversation and intrigue among Martha’s Vineyard residents, who are eager to unravel the circumstances surrounding the unusual finding. With the involvement of authorities and experts in the field, there is hope that the mystery will soon be solved, bringing clarity to a situation that has captured the attention of the island community.
