The Erie Port Authority opened an investigation after people spotted what appeared to be an alligator in the lake, according to Erie News Now.
The Port Authority has placed placards in the area warning about the alligator and has opened communication with a trapper about how to capture the beast, the outlet reported Wednesday. (RELATED: Sneaky Alligator Caught On Camera Hiding Under Shopping Carts)
“This has been very unique for us,” Erie Port Authority Executive Director Julie Slomski said, Erie News Now reported. “We’re taking this very seriously and our team is being very, very diligent just to make sure we are keeping everyone safe.”
The director reportedly said that if anyone else spots the alligator or knows of someone who may have released the animal into Lake Erie, they should notify authorities. “We’d love to talk with that individual,” Slomski said, according to the outlet.
People appeared to have initially sighted the alligator Sunday, as a post on Facebook by Stina Roach with photos and a video of the encounter shows. “Well kids were all swimming and all of a sudden a fucking alligator swims up on everyone lmao. Like what the hell. First time for everything too,” Roach wrote.
The narrator in the video claimed that this was “a baby alligator” and joked “so much for no alligators in the lake.” The head of the apparent alligator was visible through the waves of the lake.
DJ-Bird Roach, the husband of Stina, shared an image of one of the signs port authorities placed in the area warning visitors to not enter the waters due to a reported alligator sighting. “Thank my wife for ruining summer for everyone,” he wrote.
Alligators are not native to Lake Erie, which is located in the American northeast, but are native to the wetlands, swamps and rivers of the U.S. Southeast, according to the Erie Zoo. Trisha Volz, the Erie Reptile Expo’s host, thinks someone had kept the alligator as a pet, Erie News Now reported.
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“What they did throwing it in the lake is absolutely uncalled for,” she reportedly said.
Volz added that she hopes the alligator is found soon, the outlet reported. “The less people looking for him, the better, because nine out of 10, he is terrified right now,” Volz reportedly stated.
