Chance the Snapper

Chance has grown 2 feet and more than tripled his weight since he was caught in the Humboldt Park lagoon in 2019. He's one of the largest gators at St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park in Florida.

After a high-risk heart surgery last month, the city’s favorite alligator trapper is recovering at his Florida home. He plans to visit Chance, who has grown into a "powerhouse" gator at the farm, soon — and Chicago, of course.

Florida surgeons will perform Frank Robb's high-risk heart and chest surgery March 9. He thanked Chicagoans for helping him with steep medical bills and for their unwavering kindness.

Robb's friends have set up an online fundraiser to help the gator trapper pay for costly medical bills.

"He has no worries. He has no concerns. ... He's truly living life as a rockstar."

"People are still asking about him nonstop," says Frank "Alligator" Robb, who snared the wayward gator. "There's so much love for the little fella, but he's not exactly a little fella anymore."

The Florida gator rescuer is doing educational Skype sessions to help kids connect with nature and learn while stuck inside.

"I want to see the look on the guys' faces when they realize we can throw stuff," 12-year-old Sadie Manley said of her team.

Humboldt Park's famous alligator didn't stay in that lagoon the whole week — he took some walks. He's also popular with the lady gators in Florida.

"The Adventures of Chicago Chance and Frank Robb" doubles as a coloring book and storybook.

We are loving all your Chance the Snapper Halloween costumes — and so is the man who trapped the creature in Humboldt Park.

Alligator Robb said he visited Chance several days before the storm and advised the gator to "hunker."

Frank Robb not only caught Chance the Snapper in Humboldt Park, but he also is dating a woman who lives in the neighborhood.

There will also be "gator-related surprises" at the gala, a spokeswoman said.

"Obviously, farm animals belong on a farm, not in an urban environment like this," said Ald. Ray Lopez (15th).

After three gators were found in Chicago in the last month, experts are urging Chicagoans to avoid adopting the creatures, which suffer when held in too-small tubs or tanks.

Frank Robb, the gator trapper who caught the alligator, was paid $2,500 for the work that made him a Chicago superstar.

The new Andersonville shop hopes to eventually make shirts for all of Chicago's neighborhoods.

Humboldt Gator, a witbier with pineapple and coconut, will be released Wednesday. La Gargola, a classic German-style helles lager that’s a collaboration with the band Chevelle, comes out Thursday.