Current:Home > MyAn alligator was spotted floating along Texas' Brazos River. Watch the video. -NextGenWealth
An alligator was spotted floating along Texas' Brazos River. Watch the video.
View
Date:2025-04-24 20:06:46
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! (91)
Related
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- 2 months after Starliner launched, astronauts still haven’t returned: See timeline
- Spain vs. Morocco live updates: Score, highlights for Olympics men's soccer semifinals
- Christina Hall Takes a Much Needed Girls Trip Amid Josh Hall Divorce
- Mega Millions winning numbers for August 6 drawing: Jackpot climbs to $398 million
- 2024 Olympics: Italy's Alice D’Amato Wins Gold After Simone Biles, Suni Lee Stumble in Balance Beam Final
- Novak Djokovic beats Carlos Alcaraz to win his first Olympic gold medal
- How a lack of supervisors keeps new mental health workers from entering the field
- Clay Aiken's son Parker, 15, makes his TV debut, looks like his father's twin
- Everything you need to know about the compact Dodge Neon SRT-4
Ranking
- Oklahoma parole board recommends governor spare the life of man on death row
- Zac Efron hospitalized after swimming accident in Ibiza, reports say
- 3 people are found dead at a southeast Albuquerque home, police say it appears to be a homicide case
- U.S. takes silver in first ever team skeet shooting event at Olympics
- The Daily Money: Disney+ wants your dollars
- Real Housewives of New Jersey Star Gia Giudice Reveals the 1 College Essential That’s 1,000% Necessary
- Man gets life sentence for killing his 3 young sons at their Ohio home
- Tropical Storm Debby barrels toward Florida, with potential record-setting rains further north
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Whodunit? (Freestyle)
3 people are found dead at a southeast Albuquerque home, police say it appears to be a homicide case
The Bachelorette’s Andi Dorfman Is Pregnant, Expecting First Baby With Husband Blaine Hart
Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
Belgian triathlete gets sick after competing in Seine river
Novak Djokovic beats Carlos Alcaraz to win his first Olympic gold medal
When does Simone Biles compete today? Paris Olympics gymnastics schedule for Monday