Current:Home > ScamsAn alligator was spotted floating along Texas' Brazos River. Watch the video. -MoneyBase
An alligator was spotted floating along Texas' Brazos River. Watch the video.
View
Date:2025-04-16 16:17:40
An alligator spotting in Texas' Brazos River has sparked concerns among nearby residents.
The alligator was seen Sunday by Shelbi Todaro, a resident of Waco, a city about 100 miles south of Dallas. The gator was swimming underneath the suspension bridge at Indian Spring Park. Todaro captured the video of the reptile swimming and posted the videos to Facebook.
Watch the alligator float in the river below.
Todaro told MySA that she spotted the animal while she was running on the sidewalk by the river. She initially thought it was a snapping turtle but discovered it was an alligator upon closer inspection.
"I was really excited," Todaro told USA TODAY. "I love all animals, especially reptiles. I stayed for about an hour and just watched it float along."
'Really lucky':Florida woman bit on head by 9-foot alligator walks away with scratches
Previous spotting
Lerrin Johnson, a Wildlife Public Information Officer at Texas Wildlife Department told USA TODAY that the department's staff believes that, based on size and location, the alligator spotted Sunday is the same one that was seen in the area in September.
"Though they are not commonly seen in the Waco area and do not have a breeding population, it is still on the western edge of the normal range for the American Alligator," said Johnson.
Reptile transported
When the alligator was spotted back in September, city officials had told the Waco Tribune-Herald that it was unlikely the alligator had reached the Brazos River on its own. They believed that someone had probably transported the alligator to the river.
“Based on looking at the head and size of its body parts, that is most likely a wild alligator transported from Louisiana or East Texas and released,” Brian Henley, an animal care supervisor at the Cameron Park Zoo had told the Tribune-Herald.
Henley said that the alligator did not look more than 3 or 4 years old.
'Let the gator be'
City and state game warden officials said they intend to let the alligator be, though they warn the public to avoid harassing or feeding it.
The officer further said that the alligator is "exhibiting normal foraging behavior" and that his office will continue to monitor the reptile's location.
"TPWD does not currently see a need for removal as long as the public steers clear of the alligator and does not harass or feed it," said Johnson.
What to know:Mysterious respiratory dog illness detected in several states
Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.
veryGood! (56181)
Related
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- No charges for Nebraska officer who killed a man while serving a no-knock warrant
- An ex-Mafia hitman is set for sentencing in the prison killing of gangster James ‘Whitey’ Bulger
- Rift between Parkland massacre survivor and some families of the dead erupts in court
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- Group Therapy Sessions Proliferate for People Afflicted With ‘Eco-Distress’
- Magic Johnson buys a stake in the NWSL’s Washington Spirit
- A Legionnaire’s disease outbreak has killed 3 at an assisted living facility
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- A Legionnaire’s disease outbreak has killed 3 at an assisted living facility
Ranking
- Small twin
- New Mexico starts building an abortion clinic to serve neighboring states
- 'Bachelorette' Jenn Tran addresses finale debacle: 'My heart is heavy grieving'
- Jobs report will help Federal Reserve decide how much to cut interest rates
- Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
- Human remains believed to be hundreds of years old found on shores of Minnesota lake
- Rare but deadly mosquito disease has New England hotspots warning against going out at night
- How many points did Caitlin Clark score Wednesday? Clark earns second career triple-double
Recommendation
Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
2 Nigerian brothers sentenced for sextortion that led to teen’s death
Pivotal August jobs report could ease recession worries. Or fuel them.
Christina Hall Stresses Importance of Making Her Own Money Amid Josh Hall Divorce
Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
Red Lobster says it will soon exit bankruptcy protection after judge approves seafood chain’s sale
Ticketmaster’s pricing for Oasis tickets is under investigation in the UK
A woman pleads guilty to trying to bribe a juror in a major COVID-related fraud case