Volunteers caring for a sickly alligator found earlier this month at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport say the young reptile is malnourished.
Jason Hood is president of the Chicago Herpetological Society, which is caring for the alligator that's been named Allie.
He says Wednesday that it's not "responding well to food" because it hasn't had proper nutrition.
He adds that the animal's growth is stunted and has a bent spine and soft bones.
He believes the alligator is about two to three years old.
The alligator was discovered earlier under an escalator at a baggage claim in O'Hare Airport.
Police said the alligator was captured in the terminal, contained in a trash can and turned over to the Chicago Herpetological Society.
The Chicago Transit Authority released a series of images Tuesday of a woman they believe rode a trail with the two-foot-long gator before it was found at the airport.
CTA officials are encouraging anyone who can help identify the woman to call the customer service line at 1-888-YOUR-CTA. Those responsible for the handling of this alligator could face a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty or a fine for abandoning it in a public place.
