Workers at the Brookhaven Waste Waste Treatment Plant had anunexpected visitor Wednesday in the form an over six-feet-longalligator.

The alligator, black from sewer discharge, wandered onto theplant grounds around 2 p.m. and was found in a pit containing someold treatment plant pumps, said Calvin Carter, plant operator. Cityemployees Eugene Allbritton and Jude Pearl McGee were able to ropethe gator and get him out of the pit.

“He was putting up a fight there, but he’s kind of got calmeddown now,” said Wayne Kimble, who was doing some electrical work atthe plant and also photographed the captured critter.

Carter said Wednesday was the second time an alligator hadvisited the plant. Once the gator was corralled, the captors kept arespectful distance.

Carter said he was more concerned about visits from anotheranimal.

“I’m more scared of snakes than alligators,” Carter said.

The alligator, which plant workers said was probably prowlingfor a mate during this time of the year, was released after alittle while. The animal retreated into an algae-covered water holenear the old pump pit.

Kimble said workers had some fun with the gator during hisvisit.

“This was the most excitement I’ve ever had around a sewertreatment plant,” Kimble said.