Current:Home > FinanceAn alligator was spotted floating along Texas' Brazos River. Watch the video. -Stellar Wealth Sphere
An alligator was spotted floating along Texas' Brazos River. Watch the video.
View
Date:2025-04-12 15:29:08
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! (4872)
Related
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Harvey Weinstein hospitalized with COVID-19 and pneumonia
- Where Elon Musk's Daughter Vivian Stands With Mom Justine Wilson Amid Transgender Journey
- A New National Spotlight Shines on Josh Shapiro’s Contested Environmental Record
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- Family sues after teen’s 2022 death at Georgia detention center
- Scores of wildfires are scorching swaths of the US and Canada. Here’s the latest on them
- Skateboarder Jagger Eaton won bronze in Tokyo on broken ankle. Can he podium in Paris?
- Skins Game to make return to Thanksgiving week with a modern look
- Jensen Ackles returns to 'The Boys' final season, stars in 'Vought Rising' spinoff
Ranking
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- Water Polo's official hype man Flavor Flav wants to see women win fourth gold
- Who is the athlete in the Olympic opening ceremony video? Zinedine Zidane stars
- Climate Change Contributes to Shift in Lake Erie’s Harmful Algal Blooms
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Man charged with starting massive wildfire in California as blazes burn across the West
- Best and worst moments from Peyton Manning during Paris Olympics opening ceremony
- Dodgers Player Freddie Freeman's 3-Year-Old Son Can't Stand or Walk Amid Viral Infection
Recommendation
Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
Manhattan diamond dealer charged in scheme to swap real diamonds for fakes
Son of Ex-megachurch pastor resigns amid father's child sex abuse allegations
Justice Department defends group’s right to sue over AI robocalls sent to New Hampshire voters
North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
Ohio court rules that so-called boneless chicken wings can, in fact, contain bones
Senators call on Federal Trade Commission to investigate automakers’ sale of driving data to brokers
Skateboarder Jagger Eaton won bronze in Tokyo on broken ankle. Can he podium in Paris?