(DEKALB COUNTY) - Irwin the alligator is back home, 21Alive reports the 20-year-old gator has been returned to his owner. Irwin went missing a month ago in southern DeKalb County. Irwin's owner, Mark Kohlhorst, owns and operates Mark's Ark in Auburn, a traveling educational exhibit featuring exotic animals. Irwin escaped from a cooler at Kolhorst's property along County Road 35 on June 5th.
The alligator was spotted July 5 in a pond across the road.
Kolhorst was unable to catch Irwin. Another person eventually captured the alligator and turned him over to Indiana Department of Natural Resources officers.
DNR officers returned Irwin to Kolhorst. He told 21Alive the alligator is doing well and is safely back home.
Over the years, an emu, pig and tortoise have been reported escaped from Kohlhorst's property. He called those isolated incidents and said he cooperates with federal inspectors. He is licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.