Alligator found in Delaware County backyard

WPVI Channel 6 news ^ | Monday, July 23, 2018 07:00AM | Annie McCormick

[kvanbrunt2]

PROSPECT PARK, Pa. (WPVI) -- Tracie Hoffecker's backyard in Prospect Park, Delaware County felt like a zoo Sunday morning when she found an alligator. "Never in a million years did I think I would find that this morning!" said Hoffecker. "I immediately called my cousin."

Her cousin, a Philadelphia firefighter, arrived and called friends to help.

Then with an audience, the capture played out like a show on Animal Planet.

The approximately two-to-three-foot gator was surprisingly calm.

Hoffecker, an animal lover, put the best interests of the gator first and called a rescue organization. The Slimy, Scaly, Taily Reptile Rescue based in Souderton removed the gator from his makeshift home.

Several sightings of the alligator along the creek were reported this past week. It's been the talk of the neighborhood.

"It was a big concern," said resident Mary Bosch. People suspect someone might have bought the alligator - which is legal to do in Pennsylvania - but then let it go - which is illegal.

Hoffecker is hoping that there aren't any more lurking about.

"I keep looking to see if there's one or two or more back there," she said. "I will continue to look and see if there's any more."

Officials from Reptile Rescue said they are hoping a zoo will adopt the alligator.

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[kvanbrunt2]

Thought this might add to some levity to today's posts today. stream like this runs in front of our house which is about two miles away. stay out of alligator infested waters

[Vigilanteman]

Too many Pennsylvanians travel to Florida for the winter and back in the spring. Somebody told me that live gators, a foot or so long, were cheap and easy to buy in Florida. It is only a two day drive to Pennsylvania, even less if you use a team.

We had a gator a couple of years back which was found swimming in our local reservoir. There were several attempts to capture the critter until September, when we gave up.

Needless to say, Mother Nature solved the problem. But it is a great way to get attention during the dog days of summer.

[End Times Sentinel]

I’m pretty confident I could beat up a three foot alligator. An eight foot crocodile, I think I’d need to train for that for a while.
I sure would like to fight a kangaroo though.

[Paladin2]

Note to self:

Be Careful Out There.....

[Maudeen]

“The Swamp” has now expanded to take up residency in the public’s backyards. . .Lock your doors.

[KingLudd]

Buck kangaroos like to fight too.

[Vince Ferrer]

We had a gator a couple of years back which was found swimming in our local reservoir. There were several attempts to capture the critter until September, when we gave up. Needless to say, Mother Nature solved the problem. But it is a great way to get attention during the dog days of summer.

There is an alligator farm in Colorado at 8000ft. The water is warmed with a hot spring, but they often spread out to ponds not heated. They survive by letting their nose stick out of the ice and more or less hibernating.

[BBell]

I was wondering what my gator was doing climbing on truck at the local truck stop.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Decades ago, a gator escaped from the gator pool at the Tulsa Mohawk Park Zoo. For years they wondered where it went, till one day they realized the duck pond had fewer ducks on it. Then one day a zoo worker saw a duck disappear before his eyes. Thinking it was a snapping turtle they were surprised to see their missing gator, fat and sassy. They still don’t know how he got through the winters outside.

[nicollo]

Hope you’ve got as good right jab as this guy:

Man Punches a Kangaroo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeeRpahAhH8