Current:Home > reviewsAn alligator was spotted floating along Texas' Brazos River. Watch the video. -MoneyStream
An alligator was spotted floating along Texas' Brazos River. Watch the video.
View
Date:2025-04-16 16:43:38
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! (81)
Related
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Kenya begins handing over 429 bodies of doomsday cult victims to families: They are only skeletons
- Guatemala's president says U.S. should invest more to deter migration
- After 'Quiet on Set,' Steve from 'Blue's Clues' checked on Nickelodeon fans. They're not OK.
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- This is how reporters documented 1,000 deaths after police force that isn’t supposed to be fatal
- Sean Diddy Combs' Alleged Drug Mule Arrested at Airport Amid Home Raids
- Florence Pugh gives playful sneak peek at 'Thunderbolts' set: 'I can show you some things'
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- Usher has got it bad for Dave's Hot Chicken. He joins Drake as newest celebrity investor
Ranking
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- Sheryl Crow talks Stevie Nicks, Olivia Rodrigo and why AI in music 'terrified' her
- French lawmakers are weighing a bill banning all types of hair discrimination
- The colonel is getting saucy: KFC announces Saucy Nuggets, newest addition to menu
- What to watch: O Jolie night
- Joe Lieberman, longtime senator and 2000 vice presidential nominee, dies at 82
- French lawmakers are weighing a bill banning all types of hair discrimination
- West Virginia bill adding work search to unemployment, freezing benefits made law without signature
Recommendation
Intellectuals vs. The Internet
Horoscopes Today, March 27, 2024
West Virginia bill adding work search to unemployment, freezing benefits made law without signature
US economic growth for last quarter is revised up slightly to a healthy 3.4% annual rate
Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
What you need to know about the 2024 Masters at Augusta National, how to watch
Photos released from on board the Dali ship as officials investigate Baltimore bridge collapse
Federal appeals court keeps hold on Texas' sweeping immigration in new ruling