raygat
03-14-2005, 06:06 PM
http://www.nbc5i.com/news/4271983/detail.html
8-Foot Alligator Spotted In North Texas Lake
Reptile Could Pose Threat To Dogs, Toddlers
POSTED: 10:10 am CST March 10, 2005
UPDATED: 11:06 am CST March 10, 2005
DALLAS -- A North Texas game warden is hunting for an 8-foot-long alligator that is reportedly on the loose in Lake Ray Hubbard.
Darla Rupert was walking her dog Hollywood near the lake recently where she says she saw the reptile. "I heard a weird noise I've never heard from an animal. He was right underneath that yellow light," said Rupert.
FeedRoom
Alligator Spotted On Area Lake
The 'he' Rupert was referring to was an 8-foot alligator, similar to the one pictured, left, soaking up the warmth of the concrete at Chandlers Landing Marina.
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"When he jumped it made such a loud noise it sounded like a 400 pound man doing a belly flop in a pool," Rupert said.
Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens said most of the alligators are in non-populated marshy areas at the north end of the lake in the creek and river areas and that they are natural to the area.
"He probably got run out of his home territory as they come out of the mud. He's looking for a new territory. Once this area starts bustling with people and stuff, he'll take off," said Game Warden Garry Collins.
The large reptiles do feed on small mammals, dogs and ducks. Game wardens warn that even small toddlers could be at risk of an attack should they come too close to the water.
"They'll knock it into the water with the tail and then take it and go under," Collins said.
The alligator sighting worries lake dwellers who like to hang out and enjoy the beautiful sunsets.
"We have a lot of children and dogs in the community that walk around and we take advantage of being close to the lake. If there is an alligator present then we would definitely, you know, that's a concern," said parent Miranda Stamps.
Collins advises anyone who sees the alligator to just stay away from the reptile.
"Don't approach it ... stay away from it. The only time that they are really dangerous to us if we are on land is if you corner one," Collins said.
Collins also said that you should never feed an alligator because they look for handouts and that food that is easy to come by may make it harder for the animal to leave.
NBC 5's Susan Risdon said Collins told her that in his 25 years with the parks and wildlife department he only knows of one alligator attack on a human and that was on the Guadalupe River.
8-Foot Alligator Spotted In North Texas Lake
Reptile Could Pose Threat To Dogs, Toddlers
POSTED: 10:10 am CST March 10, 2005
UPDATED: 11:06 am CST March 10, 2005
DALLAS -- A North Texas game warden is hunting for an 8-foot-long alligator that is reportedly on the loose in Lake Ray Hubbard.
Darla Rupert was walking her dog Hollywood near the lake recently where she says she saw the reptile. "I heard a weird noise I've never heard from an animal. He was right underneath that yellow light," said Rupert.
FeedRoom
Alligator Spotted On Area Lake
The 'he' Rupert was referring to was an 8-foot alligator, similar to the one pictured, left, soaking up the warmth of the concrete at Chandlers Landing Marina.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Slideshow: See This & Other Slideshows
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"When he jumped it made such a loud noise it sounded like a 400 pound man doing a belly flop in a pool," Rupert said.
Texas Parks and Wildlife game wardens said most of the alligators are in non-populated marshy areas at the north end of the lake in the creek and river areas and that they are natural to the area.
"He probably got run out of his home territory as they come out of the mud. He's looking for a new territory. Once this area starts bustling with people and stuff, he'll take off," said Game Warden Garry Collins.
The large reptiles do feed on small mammals, dogs and ducks. Game wardens warn that even small toddlers could be at risk of an attack should they come too close to the water.
"They'll knock it into the water with the tail and then take it and go under," Collins said.
The alligator sighting worries lake dwellers who like to hang out and enjoy the beautiful sunsets.
"We have a lot of children and dogs in the community that walk around and we take advantage of being close to the lake. If there is an alligator present then we would definitely, you know, that's a concern," said parent Miranda Stamps.
Collins advises anyone who sees the alligator to just stay away from the reptile.
"Don't approach it ... stay away from it. The only time that they are really dangerous to us if we are on land is if you corner one," Collins said.
Collins also said that you should never feed an alligator because they look for handouts and that food that is easy to come by may make it harder for the animal to leave.
NBC 5's Susan Risdon said Collins told her that in his 25 years with the parks and wildlife department he only knows of one alligator attack on a human and that was on the Guadalupe River.