The department jokingly listed a few mock charges against the alligator (Image source: Onslow County Sheriff's Office/Facebook)A giant alligator weighing nearly 400 pounds and 10 feet in length created a buzz in Onslow County, North Carolina, when it was spotted relaxing close to traffic. The reptile, later named “Pepe the Gator,” was found lounging along Old 30 Road 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 rescuers posing beside the alligator.See here:Also Read | Elephant rescues drowning gazelle in heartwarming viral video: ‘Even the wild knows mercy’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.© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:social media virals