A yellow-bellied alligator was spotted in Araruama Lagoon, alarming residents in the district of Figueira, Arraial do Cabo, in Brazil's Lakes Region. This unusual appearance of the alligator, which is typically found in fresh water environments, prompted environmental rescue teams to act quickly. The animal was found outside of its natural habitat and was rescued on Friday morning after being reported by local residents.

According to the Environment Secretariat, the alligator is around four years old and had found itself in a hypersaline area of the lagoon, which is unsuitable for its survival. The presence of the alligator in such saline waters raised concerns, as it could not thrive in that environment for long periods. It is suspected that the reptile was displaced due to heavy rainfall in the area over the past few weeks, which may have caused it to be swept into the lagoon through freshwater channels.

Upon the arrival of the Environmental Guard Operational Group, they discovered that local residents had already secured the animal. The team conducted a safe handling and recovery process for the alligator to ensure its return to a more appropriate habitat. This incident highlights the vulnerabilities of wildlife, especially regarding the impacts of weather phenomena on animal movements and habitats.