Current:Home > MyAn alligator was spotted floating along Texas' Brazos River. Watch the video. -Finovate
An alligator was spotted floating along Texas' Brazos River. Watch the video.
View
Date:2025-04-19 15:28:32
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! (76716)
Related
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- 2nd Circuit rejects Donald Trump’s request to halt postconviction proceedings in hush money case
- NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban to resign amid FBI corruption probe, ABC reports
- Maryland woman is charged with vandalizing property during protests over Netanyahu’s visit to DC
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- Jack Antonoff Has Pitch Perfect Response to Rumor He Put in Earplugs During Katy Perry’s VMAs Performance
- Filipino televangelist pleads not guilty to human trafficking charges
- The Best Boot Trends for Fall 2024 & We're Obsessed - Featuring Styles From Kenneth Cole, Amazon & More
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Jon Bon Jovi helps woman in crisis off bridge ledge in Nashville
Ranking
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- Three people wounded in downtown Dallas shooting; police say suspect is unknown
- It took 50,000 gallons of water to put out Tesla Semi fire in California, US agency says
- NFL Week 2 picks straight up and against spread: Will Chiefs or Bengals win big AFC showdown?
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- Man convicted of killing 4 at a Missouri motel in 2014
- How to watch August’s supermoon, which kicks off four months of lunar spectacles
- A teen accused of killing his mom in Florida was once charged in Oklahoma in his dad’s death
Recommendation
Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
Boeing factory workers go on strike after rejecting contract offer
Tua Tagovailoa concussion timeline: Dolphins QB exits game against Bills with head injury
SpaceX astronaut Anna Menon reads 'Kisses in Space' to her kids in orbit: Watch
Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
Jack Antonoff Has Pitch Perfect Response to Rumor He Put in Earplugs During Katy Perry’s VMAs Performance
Demi Lovato Has the Sweetest Reaction to Sister Madison De La Garza’s Pregnancy
South Carolina justices refuse to stop state’s first execution in 13 years