Los Angeles residents have found a new hero through an alligator who has defied captors and won local hearts for over the past week.

After several unsuccessful attempts in capturing the clever alligator, officials have decided to suspend the search fearing that the unwilling prey might eventually become stressed from the whole ordeal.

"The gator is stressed, and we don't want him scared or sick," says alligator wrestler Jay Young.

"We're going to get him back to kind of relaxing and laying on the lily pads and having a good time again, so we're doing therapy for the gator," Harbor Area parks superintendent Ron Berkowitz told local television reporters.

The alligator has not been seen since Wednesday. Once captured, the animal will be taken to the Los Angeles Zoo.