Current:Home > reviewsAn 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.
Ethermac Exchange View
Date:2025-03-11 10:01:40
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! (4)
Related
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- Supreme Court rejects appeal from Josh Duggar, former reality TV star convicted of child porn charges
- Travis Kelce Weighs in on Jason and Kylie Kelce’s Confrontation With “Entitled” Fan
- Sean Penn Slams Rumor He Hit Ex-Wife Madonna With a Baseball Bat
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- After FBI raid, defiant Oakland mayor says she did nothing wrong and will not resign
- 'Beverly Hills Cop' star Judge Reinhold says 'executive murder plot' crushed career
- What Euro 2024 games are today? England, France, Netherlands vie for group wins
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Stock splits make Nvidia and Chipotle shares more affordable. Should you buy them?
Ranking
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- As more Texans struggle with housing costs, homeownership becoming less attainable
- On heartland roads, and a riverboat, devout Catholics press on with two-month nationwide pilgrimage
- Parisians threaten to poop in Seine River to protest sewage contamination ahead of Paris 2024 Summer Olympics
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- Supreme Court agrees to review Tennessee law banning gender-affirming care for minors
- How many points did Caitlin Clark have? No. 1 pick sets Fever record with 13 assists
- Defense rests for woman accused of killing her Boston officer boyfriend with SUV
Recommendation
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Don't Miss GAP's Limited-Time Extra 50% Off Sale: $15 Sweaters, $17 Cargos & More
Josh Duggar's Appeal in Child Pornography Case Rejected by Supreme Court
Iran overturns the death sentence of rapper Toomaj Salehi, charged in connection to 2022 protests
Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
'Beverly Hills Cop' star Judge Reinhold says 'executive murder plot' crushed career
Massachusetts Senate unveils its version of major housing bill
3,500 dog treat packages recalled over possible metal contamination, safety concerns