Current:Home > FinanceAn alligator was spotted floating along Texas' Brazos River. Watch the video.-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
An alligator was spotted floating along Texas' Brazos River. Watch the video.
View Date:2024-12-24 03:12:55
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! (99627)
Related
- Human head washes ashore on Florida beach, police investigating: reports
- Lawsuit challenges Alabama inmate labor system as ‘modern day slavery’
- Congressional candidate’s voter outreach tool is latest AI experiment ahead of 2024 elections
- Delta passengers stranded at remote military base after flight diverted to Canada
- Horoscopes Today, November 10, 2024
- Cheating in sports: Michigan football the latest scandal. Why is playing by rules so hard?
- ESPN's Troy Aikman blasts referees for 'ridiculous' delay in making call
- Andre Braugher, Emmy-winning actor who starred in ‘Homicide’ and ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine,’ dies at 61
- The Office's Kate Flannery Defends John Krasinski's Sexiest Man Alive Win
- Chargers QB Justin Herbert out for remainder of season with fractured index finger
Ranking
- Veterans face challenges starting small businesses but there are plenty of resources to help
- Argentina devalues its currency and cuts subsidies as part of shock economic measures
- Argentina devalues its currency and cuts subsidies as part of shock economic measures
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine Stars Honor Their Captain Andre Braugher After His Death
- Week 10 fantasy football rankings: PPR, half-PPR and standard leagues
- Semi-trailer driver dies after rig crashes into 2 others at Indiana toll plaza
- Bear! Skier narrowly escapes crashing into bear on Tahoe slope: Watch video
- Turkish soccer league suspends all games after team boss Faruk Koca punches referee in the face
Recommendation
-
Reds honor Pete Rose with a 14-hour visitation at Great American Ball Park
-
Delta passengers stranded at remote military base after flight diverted to Canada
-
North Korean and Russian officials discuss economic ties as Seoul raises labor export concerns
-
Congo and rebel groups agree a 3-day cease-fire ahead of the presidential vote, US says
-
Satire publication The Onion buys Alex Jones’ Infowars at auction with help from Sandy Hook families
-
Indhu Rubasingham named as first woman to lead Britain’s National Theatre
-
The pope says he wants to be buried in the Rome basilica, not in the Vatican
-
Chargers QB Justin Herbert will miss rest of season after undergoing surgery on broken finger