Wranglers call off search for alligator in Los Angeles lake

LOS ANGELES – Reptile wranglers searching for an alligator let loose in a southern California lake have given up the hunt – at least for now.The alligator was spotted Aug. 12 in Harbor City’s Lake Machado, and since then hundreds of visitors have flocked to the South Los Angeles park for a glimpse.However, the reptile has not been seen since Aug. 21.”We are considering this halftime,” Tim Williams, a 30-year gator handler from Florida, said Friday when the search was called off. “He’s won the first half.”Two men, one a Los Angeles officer, were arrested this past week for conspiring to release the alligator in the 56-acre lake.Williams said the gator has plenty of food – frogs and crayfish inhabiting the lake, and tortillas and chicken legs left by visitors and park officials.Abraham Amezcua, 35, who was selling T-shirts reading “You’ll Never Catch Me” in English and Spanish, said the gator may not be seen for a long time.”He’s spooked,” Williams said. “He knows something is up.”Vail – Colorado