Wally, perhaps the world's only emotional support alligator, surprised visitors at a Philadelphia park by frolicking in a city fountain

• A Tiktok-famous emotional support alligator was seen out and about at Love Park in Philadelphia.
• The alligator, Wally, is a TikTok star with over 72,600 followers.

Visitors to Love Park, Philadelphia, last week were treated to the fascinating sight of a pet alligator roaming about on a harness.

Wally, a TikTok-famous alligator — perhaps the only alligator registered as an emotional support animal — was spotted by CBS Philadelphia out and about, moseying through the park's fountain on a harness and leash.

Wally's owner, Joie Henney, documented the excursion to Love Park on TikTok. Henney, a reptile rescuer, has more than 30 years of experience with alligators and has cared for Wally for six years, according to CNN.

@wallythealligator Wally loved spending the day in Love Park, Philadelphia !!#WallyGatorESA ♬ Good Time - Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen

Henney acquired Wally when he was only 20-inches-long from a friend in Florida. "There was an overabundance of gators in that area," Henney the outlet, explaining how excess alligators are either euthanized or kept in captivity in the state.

It is legal to own alligators in Philadelphia, though it isn't allowed in many states. According to National Geographic, there is no official tally of how many pet alligators there may be, but there were at least 5,000 in Michigan and several dozens in Arizona and Chicago.

The Washington Post spoke to Henney, who said that he hugs Wally and sleeps in the same bed as the alligator.

"When he turns his nose toward you, that means he expects a kiss," Henney told The Post, calling his pet gator "super sweet-natured."

"He's just loveable," he told CNN, noting that the alligator "steals my pillows, steals my blankets."

Henney, who is battling cancer, has a GoFundMe campaign going on to raise funds for WallyGator and Friends Reptile Rescue, the rescue organization he runs.

A post shared by Wally Gator (@wallygatornjoie)

Henney added that he watches TV with Wally, and brings the 70-pound, 5-and-a-half foot animal out to the farmers' market. He added that he thought because he knew how to "read" alligators, he felt it was alright to let Wally "roam free in the house."

Henney told The Post he always knew the alligator was different, noticing early on that the animal didn't bite him while being fed.

"He wouldn't eat live rats, and he really showed a love for cheesy popcorn," he told the outlet. "I thought it was different, but I was still very cautious around him."

A post shared by Wally Gator (@wallygatornjoie)

"Wally is definitely not your average crocodilian," Henney told The Post. "He's a very special gator, but I wouldn't recommend that anyone get one. If you don't know what you're doing, you will get bit."