Veterinarians at the New England Wildlife Center are treating the aptly named Charles for a respiratory infection it picked up while in the frigid Charles River waters. 

By Josh Lanier From Daily Voice

Anyone who's been on the Charles River on a winter morning can attest to the biting cold, but recently, someone found something that can actually take a bite out of you for real: an alligator.

Rowers, runners, and visitors to the Charles River in Boston's Back Bay had been reporting sightings of the little alligator for about a week, but it wasn't until Wednesday, Nov. 12, that someone finally bagged it. 

Animal educator Joseph Kenney, of Joe's Crazzy Critters, braved the elements — and the gator’s teeth — to capture the critter.

Joseph Kenney, of Joe's Crazzy Critters, holds the alligator he rescued from the Charles River in Boston's Back Bay on Tuesday, Oct. 11. 

Joseph Kenney, of Joe's Crazzy Critters, holds the alligator he rescued from the Charles River in Boston's Back Bay on Tuesday, Oct. 11. 

Instagram/@joescrazzycritters

Though he told NBC Boston that the footlong animal was not dangerous and was actually the one in danger. Alligators are not suited for the cold water, and the low temperatures could kill them. 

The animal needed to be rescued — pronto. So, Kenney got to work. 

Kenney explained how he captured the alligator in an Instagram post.

"With some luck and a couple of bright flashlights after 15 minutes, I found the Boston alligator," he wrote. "I was able to capture him safely, and he will be warm and housed until we get more information and instructions on what’s next for this little guy," he wrote.

Kenney gave the alligator to the New England Wildlife Center for treatment. Veterinarians there aptly named it Charles.

"Thanks to the quick action (and above-and-beyond dedication) of (Joseph Kenney), Charles was safely rescued from the cold water of the Charles River last night and brought to us for care," the wildlife center posted on Instagram. "Our veterinarians Greg, Harry, and Tess, examined him today and determined he has an upper respiratory infection. He’s now getting antibiotics and a warm, safe place to recover."

It's illegal to own an alligator in Massachusetts. Kenney told NBC Boston that he believes someone bought it as a pet and released it into the river as it grew. However it got there, it's now on the mend. 

Veterinarians are nursing Charles back to health and will rehome him once he’s strong enough.