ERIE, Penn. (WKRC) — An alligator was spotted swimming in Lake Erie.
According to WJW, beachgoers in Erie, Pennsylvania spotted an alligator Sunday, near the East Avenue Boat Launch. Per the outlet, several individuals claimed to have seen a four-to five-foot-long alligator, with eyewitnesses contacting authorities, who then passed the information along to the Erie Port Authority.
Slomski said the port authority is working with trappers and are in contact with professionals in the south that have experience with alligators. WJW reported that signs have been erected in the area that warns that an alligator has been spotted in the lake, and that beachgoers should exercise caution.
Reptile experts at the Erie Zoo told WJW they don't believe the alligator would survive the Erie winter and hope that it will be captured soon.
Julius told the outlet that due to the alligator's size, it's likely around two to four years old, which he said means it'll primarily feed on tadpoles, frogs, fish or smaller mammals.
According to the station, it is believed that the alligator was an exotic pet that somehow found its way into the lake.
“It’s definitely more scared of you than you are of it, so it’ll probably just swim away from you anytime you’re within like 10 feet of it. It’s not really going to come after you,” Julius told WJW.
When speaking to WJW, Port Authority officials confirmed it will monitor the area.
“Again, the concern is if somebody just released it in the bay like what we’re hearing happened, it’s disappointing because again, it puts many people in danger along with the gator itself,” Slomski told the outlet.
According to WJW, beachgoers in Erie, Pennsylvania spotted an alligator Sunday, near the East Avenue Boat Launch. Per the outlet, several individuals claimed to have seen a four-to five-foot-long alligator, with eyewitnesses contacting authorities, who then passed the information along to the Erie Port Authority.
Slomski said the port authority is working with trappers and are in contact with professionals in the south that have experience with alligators. WJW reported that signs have been erected in the area that warns that an alligator has been spotted in the lake, and that beachgoers should exercise caution.
Reptile experts at the Erie Zoo told WJW they don't believe the alligator would survive the Erie winter and hope that it will be captured soon.
Julius told the outlet that due to the alligator's size, it's likely around two to four years old, which he said means it'll primarily feed on tadpoles, frogs, fish or smaller mammals.
According to the station, it is believed that the alligator was an exotic pet that somehow found its way into the lake.
“It’s definitely more scared of you than you are of it, so it’ll probably just swim away from you anytime you’re within like 10 feet of it. It’s not really going to come after you,” Julius told WJW.
When speaking to WJW, Port Authority officials confirmed it will monitor the area.
“Again, the concern is if somebody just released it in the bay like what we’re hearing happened, it’s disappointing because again, it puts many people in danger along with the gator itself,” Slomski told the outlet.