Game Warden Issues Alligator Warning At North Texas Lake

HICKORY CREEK (CBSDFW.COM) - Recent sighting of alligators at Lewisville Lake has the Texas Game Warden advising people keep their distance.

Two alligators were reportedly spotted back in the coves near the Point Vista Park in Hickory Creek.

"It wouldn't be uncommon for them to be around there," said Texas Game Warden Logan Griffin.

Once on the verge of extinction, in 1973 Texas classified the alligator as endangered. Since then the American alligator has made a comeback.

Griffin said that's why people could be seeing more now and in new locations.

(credit: CBSDFW.COM)

The game warden said the reptiles will usually try to avoid human contact as long as people don't feed them.

"It is actually against the law to feed wild alligators and that's when you start getting into issues," he said. "In tough times, especially in the summer, if alligators have a hard time finding food, they will come to humans looking for a handout."

George Kelling has fished Lewisville Lake for more than twenty years and has never seen an alligator.

He said he's not worried but will keep an eye out for them now especially when his grandchildren and dog is playing near the lake shore.

"Even if they aren't man-eaters, they may just want to take a nibble," he said. "And their nibble could probably do a little damage."

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