At the East Avenue boat launch, Jayson Olsen from Siren's Nest of Exotic Rescue is taking matters into his own hands.

"I just hope we find this guy," said Olsen. "For his safety and everyone else's."

Olsen is hoping to capture an alligator that was spotted in Lake Erie.

"I do exotic pet rescue," said Olsen. "It's been about 22 years, I've been doing it. I work with a lot of reptiles. Gators are one of my favorites."

A video posted on Facebook over the weekend, shows an alligator swimming in the lake. The post's author describes the gator as four to five feet long.

The Erie Port Authority is now investigating the sighting.

"This has been very unique for us," said Erie Port Authority Executive Director Julie Slomski. "We're taking this very seriously and our team is being very, very diligent just to make sure we are keeping everyone safe."

The organization has placed warning signs at the end of East Avenue and is talking with a trapper to help capture the alligator.

"We're really asking the public, if you've seen something, please reach out to us," said Slomski. "If someone know of someone that may have released this gator into the waters, we'd love to talk to that individual."

Trisha Volz is the host of the Erie Reptile Expo. Based on our location, she believes the alligator is someone's pet.

"What they did throwing it in the lake is absolutely uncalled for," said Volz. "That is not the place for the alligator and that is one thing we do at the expos, if something gets too big or you can't handle it, or you don't want it anymore, we don't judge. We will take it back and we will find the proper home for it."

Volz hopes the alligator is found, sooner than later.

"The less people looking for him, the better, because nine out of 10 , he is terrified right now," said Volz. "The more people out there, it's just going to keep pushing him into hiding."