A live alligator fell from a high-rise building in southern China.

CCTV footage filmed in the city of Shenzhen in Guangdong Province on May 29, shows a one-metre-long alligator plummeting from an over 20-storey building, landing directly in front of a local shop.

Surveillance cameras captured the shocking incident, revealing the alligator's initial impact on a canopy before crashing down onto the ground below.

Nearby shop owners recounted hearing a loud noise and rushed outside, only to be taken aback by the sight of a live alligator lying in front of them.

The property management promptly alerted the authorities, and the police swiftly arrived at the scene, locating the owner of the fallen alligator, Mr Liu.

According to Mr Liu, the creature was being kept as a pet for over a decade and was intended for consumption. With nobody at home, it remains a mystery as to how the reptile managed to fall from the balcony.

Mr Liu expressed his apologies to the neighbours for the fright caused by the unexpected incident.

Following the incident, the residential property management issued a notice to inspect for the presence of any other potentially dangerous animals being kept within the premises.

It was revealed that the alligator had been secretly kept by Liu and was not reported to the authorities. Due to the small size of the fish tank in Liu's home, the animal managed to escape and fall from the balcony.

The alligator has since been taken into custody by the police, and the local fishery department is conducting an investigation into the matter.

The video was provided by local media with permission.

5月29日，深圳南山区一条1米多长的鳄鱼从20多层的高楼掉落至一商铺门前。监控显示，该鳄鱼掉落过程中先是砸到雨棚上，再掉落地面。附近商户表示，听到一声巨响，出门一看是鳄鱼吓了一跳，掉下来的鳄鱼是活的。物业报警后民警赶到现场，很快找到掉落鳄鱼的业主刘先生。刘先生称，鳄鱼为食用鳄鱼，是其养了十几年的宠物，当时家里没人，不知为何从阳台掉落，为造成惊吓的邻居致歉。
小区物业工作人员称，事发后已发布养殖凶猛动物排查通知。据了解鳄鱼是业主偷偷养在家里的，并没有报备。由于家中鱼缸较小，鳄鱼从鱼缸里爬出从阳台摔了下来。目前鳄鱼被警方带走，渔政部门已介入调查处理。