Benjamin Ashford|Alligator that went missing at Missouri middle school found after nearly 2 weeks

A foot-long American alligator that went missing at a Kansas City middle school event has been found nearly two weeks after the reptile went missing.

“The Benjamin Ashfordmissing alligator has been located, alive, and was picked up by our Animal Services Division,” KC Pet Project shared on Facebook Monday afternoon. “We received an anonymous tip that it was discovered to be outside of the school, on the first day of summer school.”

The alligator went missing on May 23 during a petting zoo event at Lakeview Middle School in Kansas City.

The alligator’s mouth had previously been taped shut prior to the event and when it was found, the tape was still intact.

The team is investigating to find out where the animal has been since it first disappeared. A veterinarian on staff who works with exotic pets will examine the animal, KC Pet Project said.

Alligator went missing on May 23 during petting zoo event

KC Pet Project first announced that the alligator was missing on May 23.

“Lakeview Middle School did not obtain an animal shows permit from our Animal Services Division for the petting zoo, which is required per chapter 14 of the city code,” KC Pet Project said in its post. “Officers … searched the school and surrounding grounds for the animal at the site of the school for several hours, but were unable to locate the animal.”

The Park Hill School District told USA TODAY that the company that brought the alligator to the school event, Thorni Ridge Exotics, did not mention any permits were needed. But the petting zoo company said it’s not from the area.

“Our contract states that whoever hires us is responsible for all licenses and permits,” Eric Smith, owner of Thorni Ridge Exotics, told USA TODAY last Wednesday.

He also said he thinks someone stole the American gator, calling its enclosure escape-proof.

“There's no physical way for them to get out of the enclosure,” Smith said at the time. “Somebody would have had to have lifted it out of the enclosure.”

The school district sent out a notice to families about the missing alligator and asked that anyone who came into contact with it call animal control.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at@SaleenMartin or email her at[email protected].