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Jackson police, with the assistance of animal control, pulled a 2-foot alligator out of a lake on Monday.

(Jackson Police Department)

JACKSON -- Police captured an alligator that was found in a lake on the site of a campgrounds on Monday.

The gator, identified as an American alligator, was approximately 2-feet in length. It was found shortly after 4 p.m. at the Maple Lake Campground on East Veterans Highway, police said.

Jackson police Capt. Steven Laskiewicz said authorities believe a resident in the area had it as a pet and released it into the lake once it grew too big. American alligators can grow up to 11-feet in length, according to Laskiewicz.

According to National Geographic, that species of alligator was once deemed endangered but now has a population of more than 1 million. American alligators are usually found in Florida and Louisiana, the magazine said.

Jackson police officers who responded to the call were assisted by Animal Control Officer Jim Rand.

The gator is now in the hands of a licensed exotic reptile handler, who is working with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish & Wildlife to find out where it will go next.

Alex Napoliello may be reached at anapoliello@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @alexnapoNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.