ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- It is believed that a gator's mouth was taped shut for two weeks, but that is no longer the case.

The gator was spotted inside the retention pond of an Orange Park neighborhood, where homeowners concerned over the reptile's welfare called the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to help out.

After days of trying, the gator was finally pulled from the water.

Wally Edwards, who lives across the street from the pond, said he was shocked when he realized the gator's mouth had been bound shut.

"I just didn't like the fact he couldn't eat," Edwards said. "That's my biggest fear, that he was going to die in here because no one would cut the tape off of him."

For the past four days, the FWC has been trying to get the alligator out of the pond to remove the tape.

As neighbors watched from a distance on Tuesday, the FWC was able to bring the reptile ashore.

"It was exciting to see," Francis Jones said.

In a matter of minutes, the tape was removed and the alligator was released back into the pond because it was too small to be considered a nuisance.

Some neighbors like Edwards enjoyed watching the gator and are glad to have it back.

"He sits up on the sand island for about two hours a day, then goes swimming, then plays with the ducks, so it's been fun," Edwards said.

Others living close to the pond have their reservations.

"I'm concerned about the children," one neighbor said. "Hopefully they won't go into the pond."