Islanders may never know the details that led to an American alligator carcass to be found along a conservation trail in West Tisbury earlier this year. 

The Massachusetts Environmental Police confirmed this fall that they closed the case, pending any new information, and say it is unclear how the animal ended up in the marsh of the Sepiessa Point Reservation.

The gator carcass, as seen in the environmental police report.

Courtesy EEA

The gator carcass, as seen in the environmental police report.

Courtesy EEA

New details about the carcass came to light this week though, when police released their report on the incident following a public records request by the Gazette. 

Environmental police were called to Sepiessa on May 13 after a dead alligator was found by someone walking through the area. Police officer Matthew Simmons took possession of the carcass from West Tisbury animal control and it was inspected in a field office in Bourne. 

In his report, Mr. Simmons wrote that the skin was removed from all parts of the four-foot gator, with the exception of its head and feet. There also appeared to be large parts of flesh that were removed. 

The biggest revelation from the report though was that the alligator appeared to have a single gunshot wound on the top center of its head. Mr. Simmons did not elaborate further on the potential reason for the gunshot wound or who may have done it in the report. 

Alligators are not naturally found on the Vineyard, and their range typically extends from the northern coasts of North Carolina to central Texas. 

The large, muscular reptiles are normally found in slow-moving freshwater, such as swamps and lakes. They can also live in saltwater marshes, but can only tolerate them for brief periods. 

It is illegal to own any crocodilian species as a pet in Massachusetts, including alligators.

The remains of the West Tisbury gator were disposed of at the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife field office, according to the report.