A giant alligator weighing nearly 400 pounds and measuring 10 feet in length created a buzz in the US state of North Carolina when it was spotted relaxing near a busy traffic area. The reptile, later named ‘Pepe the Gator’, was found lounging along Old 30 Road in Onslow County on May 28, Komonews reported.
Deputies from the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission quickly responded to the call and rescued the reptile. In a now-viral Facebook post, the Sheriff’s Office shared a light-hearted post on the encounter, referring to the alligator as a “prehistoric perp”.
The post read, “On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, deputies in Onslow County and officers with NC Wildlife Resources Commission wrangled this prehistoric perp off the pavement today after he was caught loitering near the double yellow line on Old 30 Road. Witnesses say he was just chilling and snapping, clearly ignoring the ‘no loitering or lounging on roadways’ sign”.
The department also jokingly listed a few mock charges against the alligator, “Pepe the Gator, 350–400 lbs, and almost 10 feet in length, has been cited for Suspicion of Being a Dinosaur Without Proper Papers, Public Loitering with Intent to Sunbathe, and Obstructing Traffic. Deputies reported no injuries, unless you count his pride when the gator refused to be cuffed. We’re told the gator has been safely relocated — and no, he didn’t get to ride shotgun.”
The viral Facebook post shows several photos featuring the massive alligator beside the rescuers.
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According to a report by PEOPLE, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Pepe was safely relocated to Camp Geiger, a Marine Corps base in nearby Jacksonville, North Carolina. Officials estimate the gator had wandered approximately three to five miles from its nearest water source before deciding to take a break on the roadside.
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