Gator Known as 'Chance the Snapper' Captured in Chicago Lagoon

Tuesday, the joys of a Chicagoalligator who had unwittingly been subjected to a punny Chance the Rapper-nodding nickname came to a close.

Chance the Snapper, who had spent about a week at the center of a search after being spotted at the Humboldt Park Lagoon, was ultimately captured without incident by an expert on such matters from Florida by the name of Frank Robb. Speaking with reporters, Robb said the 1:30 a.m. capture consisted of a quick "one cast and done" procedure using an everyday fishing rod equipped with a shallow penetration hook.

"Just grabbed hold of him and then we tied him up and taped him up and that was an afternoon," Robb, also known as "Alligator Bob," toldNBC News. "The second I put my hands on him, the hook fell out. Hence people ask, 'How do you catch an alligator?' 'Just barely' is the answer."

The gator in question is estimated at 5-foot-3, with his lagoon presence having inspired many writers assigned to pen about this whole ordeal to dig deep into their respective gator pun archives.

Anyway, as promised by regional animal care officials, Chance the Snapper will not be unnecessarily killed. Instead, he will be given a new home at a nearby zoo or sanctuary.

The Chance the Snapper saga adds to the marathon of gator-related news in recent weeks, including that whole thing about Tennessee cops warning of nonexistent Bama-based "meth-gators"and the 11-foot gator who broke into someone's kitchen down in Florida.