On Sunday, a 4-foot-long alligator nicknamed “Godzilla” was rescued from Prospect Park, which officials from the Parks Department believe was released into the Brooklyn park illegally.

The park’s maintenance crew discovered the cold-blooded reptile in a weakened and inactive state in the Prospect Park Lake on Sunday morning, and promptly notified the Parks Enforcement Patrol and Urban Park Rangers, according to a spokeswoman for the Parks Department.

The gator was apprehended by the members of those units and transferred to the Animal Care Centers of New York City, where it was given the name inspired by the famous Japanese movies. Subsequently, Godzilla was relocated to the Bronx Zoo and was under examination on Sunday evening.

During the time the alligator was struggling to survive in the frigid lake, there were no reported injuries.

“In addition to the potential danger to parkgoers this could have caused, releasing nonindigenous animals or unwanted pets can lead to the elimination of native species and unhealthy water quality,” said Parks spokeswoman Meghan Lalor.

“In this case, the animal was found very lethargic and possibly cold-shocked since it is native to warm, tropical climates.”

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, American alligators are not found living in the wild north of North Carolina. These reptiles depend on warm weather and sunlight to regulate their body temperature, and when temperatures drop below 55 degrees, they typically stop feeding and become dormant during the warmer winter months in the southern regions.

The Parks Department has emphasized that releasing animals into city parks is against the law. In the event that anyone discovers an abandoned animal, they are advised to contact 311 or alert an urban park ranger.