Large reptile caught roaming Huntington Park

HUNTINGTON PARK, Calif. (KABC) -- A large reptile roaming around a Huntington Park neighborhood has been caught, but it's unknown how he got there.

Police responded to a call on Monday at 11:08 a.m. from Triny Nolasco who reported seeing an alligator in the 6800 block of Santa Fe Avenue.

"I was so scared. I ran around inside and called 911," Nolasco said.

When officers arrived, they found the reptile, a three-foot savannah monitor lizard. The species is native to Africa.

Officers used a noose to capture the reptile and transported it to L.A. County's Carson Animal Shelter, where Dr. Kyle Lucero gave him the once-over.

"It's probably owned considering it's very tame," Lucero said. "These guys are notorious for escaping their cages."

It's unclear who the animal belongs to.

"If nobody claims it, then we'll have it up for adoption for the public," Lucero said.