Fisherman catches alligator in Mo. pond

ST. CHARLES, Mo. -- A man fishing in a small subdivision pond in suburban St. Louis might have expected to catch bass or crappie, but certainly not an alligator. Conservation officials say Walter Bushmann was fishing Monday in a pond in the Summit subdivision of St. Charles when he caught an alligator estimated to be 2 to 4 years old. The Missouri Department of Conservation says it was a pet that had been released, since alligators can't survive in the wild as far north as Missouri. Dan Zarlenga of the conservation department said it is common for people to release exotic pets like alligators once they reach a certain size. He believes the alligator was released this spring or summer since it could not have survived the winter cold.