SUMTER COUNTY, Ga. — (WALB/CNN) -- An image of a giant alligator in Georgia has been getting a lot of attention on social media. According to wildlife authorities, the image of the 13-foot alligator is no hoax.
The alligator was picked up by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Monday on the west side of Lake Blackshear off in Sumter County, but was later euthanized due to injuries.
A farmer called the GDNA after finding it in an irrigation ditch.
According to Brent Howze, a wildlife biologist with the GDNA, the animal was 13 feet and four inches long, 57 inches in circumference of its chest, and weighs an estimated 700 to 750 pounds.
The department said the alligator might be around 50 years old, but researchers are working to find its exact age.
It had been in the ditch for about a week, but it's not common for gators to stay in one spot that long.
He was found in poor condition and was believed to be dying, so he had to be euthanized.
“Once we got him on bank and could assess him, we noticed he had several injuries, including previous gunshot wounds,” Howze said.
