Current:Home > StocksAn alligator was spotted floating along Texas' Brazos River. Watch the video. -Mastery Money Tools
An alligator was spotted floating along Texas' Brazos River. Watch the video.
View
Date:2025-04-13 14:46:54
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! (39423)
Related
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- Today’s Climate: July 8, 2010
- Shanghai Disney Resort will close indefinitely starting on Halloween due to COVID-19
- Today’s Climate: July 30, 2010
- At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
- Inside King Charles and Queen Camilla's Epic Love Story: From Other Woman to Queen
- Former Trump attorney Timothy Parlatore thinks Trump could be indicted in Florida
- Funeral company owner allegedly shot, killed pallbearer during burial of 10-year-old murder victim
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- Families fear a ban on gender affirming care in the wake of harassment of clinics
Ranking
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Wildfire smoke-laden haze could hang around Northeast and beyond for days, experts warn
- Love & Death’s Tom Pelphrey Details the “Challenging” Process of Playing Lawyer Don Crowder
- Artificial intelligence could soon diagnose illness based on the sound of your voice
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- Trump’s FEMA Ignores Climate Change in Strategic Plan for Disaster Response
- At 18 weeks pregnant, she faced an immense decision with just days to make it
- Sea Level Rise Damaging More U.S. Bases, Former Top Military Brass Warn
Recommendation
'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
New York business owner charged with attacking police with insecticide at the Capitol on Jan. 6
Barnard College will offer abortion pills for students
Kirsten Gillibrand on Climate Change: Where the Candidate Stands
Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
I always avoided family duties. Then my dad had a fall and everything changed
A town employee who quietly lowered the fluoride in water has resigned
Today’s Climate: July 8, 2010