Current:Home > StocksAn alligator was spotted floating along Texas' Brazos River. Watch the video. -Wealth Legacy Solutions
An alligator was spotted floating along Texas' Brazos River. Watch the video.
View
Date:2025-04-16 20:02:24
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 sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.
veryGood! (9288)
Related
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Climate Change Threatens a Giant of West Virginia’s Landscape, and It’s Rippling Through Ecosystems and Lives
- Here's What Happened on Blake Shelton's Final Episode of The Voice
- Brazil police raid ex-President Bolsonaro's home in COVID vaccine card investigation
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
- Dangerously high temperatures hit South as thousands remain without power
- Climate Change Threatens 60% of Toxic Superfund Sites, GAO Finds
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Rep Slams Abhorrent Allegations About Car Chase Being a PR Stunt
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- Gene therapy for muscular dystrophy stirs hopes and controversy
Ranking
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- What could we do with a third thumb?
- A plastic sheet with a pouch could be a 'game changer' for maternal mortality
- Ireland Baldwin Shares Glimpse Into Her First Week of Motherhood With Baby Holland
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- The Voice’s Niall Horan Wants to Give This Goodbye Gift to Blake Shelton
- The Wood Pellet Business is Booming. Scientists Say That’s Not Good for the Climate.
- Car rams into 4 fans outside White Sox ballpark in Chicago
Recommendation
Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
DNC to raise billboards in Times Square, across U.S. to highlight abortion rights a year after Roe v. Wade struck down
12 House Republicans Urge Congress to Cut ANWR Oil Drilling from Tax Bill
Two doctors struck by tragedy in Sudan: One dead, one fleeing for his life
Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie return for an 'Encore,' reminisce about 'The Simple Life'
Solar and wind generated more electricity than coal for record 5 months
WHO ends global health emergency declaration for COVID-19
California’s Low-Carbon Fuel Rule Is Working, Study Says, but Threats Loom