An alligator found in a cold New York creek is safe and "warming up" at the Hudson Valley Humane Society in Pomona.

It is illegal to have an alligator in New York, but officials have said people often buy young alligators and then abandon them as they mature. This easy method removes most dirt, pesticides, and bacteria. A drawdown at the Oak Ridge Reservoir in West Milford is providing a rare peek into New Jersey’s past.