Alligator spotted on banks of Brazos River in Waco

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - Crews with the City of Waco Parks and Recreation Department documented the sighting of an alligator, about three feet long, on the banks of the Brazos River near Brazos Park East on Sept. 26.

Tiffany Malzahn, who works as an environmental and compliance manager with the Brazos River Authority, told KWTX that alligators ”have been expanding their range,” within the Basin of the Brazos.

However, the small alligator could not have swam from the basin to Brazos Park East.

Cameron Park Zoo Specialist Gordon Henley says that the most likely possibility is that the alligator “was released by humans into that area [rather] than it finding its way there naturally.”

City officials said they are working with a Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) Biologist to monitor any other reported sightings.

TPWD has asked that any photos of any alligator from this area be submitted to kyle.melton@tpwd.texas.gov.

If you snap a photo, please include the time and location. This will help TPWD in determining if any additional steps need to be taken.

According to TPWD, our area is a “non-core habitat for alligators, meaning Central Texas isn’t their usual home.”

The agency said more studies are needed to determine if the animals are migrating to the area.

If you stumble upon an alligator, do not disturb it. Officials recommend to keep your distance and use common sense around wild animals.

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