A 6-foot alligator 'scared the crap' out of a Texas officer who tried to wrangle it while trying to relocate it.
League City Police Department
LMTonline
Priscilla Aguirre
The League City Police Department posted about the alligator on Facebook, writing that officers called the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for help in relocating the alligator from the drainage ditch in the 3300 block of South Shore Boulevard.
Officials posted a photo of the alligator that was blending in with the muddy water in the ditch. The police department also uploaded a video that showed the authorities trying to wrangle the alligator while trying to relocate it. The alligator tried to snap back at an officer, causing her to jump back and say, "That scared the crap out of me."
Thankfully, the officers were able to relocate the alligator without any injuries.
Alligators will likely be found in unusual places until mating season ends in early summer. On April 4, an alligator was spotted walking along the shores of the Bolivar Peninsula, while another was found dead along Port Aransas beach.
If you see an alligator that is not approaching people or otherwise posing a threat, TPWD suggests waiting a few days if possible before contacting the department. Most of the alligators moving around are smaller ones that have been pushed out of their normal habitat by larger alligators. Usually, these smaller alligators will move further on in a week or two.
Alligators have a natural fear of humans and usually begin a quick retreat when approached by people. If you have a close encounter with an alligator a few yards away, back away slowly. It is extremely rare for wild alligators to chase people, but they can run up to 35 miles per hour for short distances on land. If you hear an alligator hiss, it's a warning that you are too close.
To report a nuisance alligator, contact your local game warden at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at 281-842-8100.