More Alligators Making Their Way Out Of Rain-Swollen Texas Rivers

NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) – More alligators are crawling out of rain-swollen rivers and making their way onto the personal property of Texans. One reptile was wrangled near Corpus Christi Wednesday. But North Texans are also encountering some of the beasts.

Wednesday law enforcement in Collin County warned residents about possibly seeing alligators this time of year.

Wildlife experts say human attacks are unlikely, but everyone should keep in mind, especially at area lakes, that a gator could be out there lurking.

Game wardens with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department say this is the time of year gators are mating and moving into different territories. With temperatures warming up and lake levels rising, alligators are getting pushed out and the potential to spot one is very real.

Game warden Tony Morton says while alligators are more common along the Gulf Coast it’s the stigma that the creatures aren’t in North Texas that hurts people. “They [people] get out here when they’re skiing and swimming and they see an alligator and everybody freaks out.”

Dallas resident James Burns says he has a plan if he encounters one of the creatures. “If he come at me, I’m going the other way. I might not out run it!” he said laughing, “but I’m going the other way.”

Wildlife experts say if you happen to spot a gator in the wild just leave it be. It’s when people mess with them or start feeding them that attacks can happen.

If you see an alligator in your neighborhood – report it.

Source: CBSDFW