BOSTON --

BOSTON -- An alligator spotted sunning itself along the banks of the Charles River was captured by wildlife experts Friday morning.

Topher Cox, a local canoeist, spotted the alligator near the Needham/Dedham line last week. Cox took a photograph of the alligator as it sunned itself on a log and then called state wildlife officials.

Photos: Alligator Caught In River

"I saw a lot of birds, turtles that sort of thing, and I was just heading back and there was an alligator just sitting in the sun on a log," Cox said.

Early Friday morning, herpetologist Michael Ralbovsky spotted the 4-foot-long alligator in the river in Needham. Ralbovsky tried to use a net to catch the reptile, but it swam under his canoe. He then reached into the water and was able to grab the alligator.

"I just reached my arm in and grabbed (it) behind (it's) neck in this manner and held on real tight and pulled (it) into the canoe," Ralbovsky said.

Massachusetts Environmental Police Officer Matt Nardi said the female alligator, estimated to be about 4 years old, was most likely someone's pet that was dumped in the river.

Nardi said the alligator would probably die within a month if it had not been captured.

The alligator will be used for environmental education programs in the Bay State for a few years before it is sent to a wildlife preserve in either Texas or Florida.