Mysterious critters are causing a wave of confusion and fear in Mesa's Riverview Park, but city officials have revealed that the alarming alligators and crocs are nothing but fakes. These foam fabrications have been deployed to offer local turtles a spot to sunbathe, Mesa Parks and Recreation Department has confirmed—a bizarre tactic but with a practical purpose.
Several 911 calls have been made by park-goers who were fooled to nearly believe they had spotted live predators in the water. One concerned citizen reported sighting "3 alligators" while another claimed an alligator "actually bit my boyfriend's fishing line," according to interviews conducted by AZ Family. Though these sightings have sparked a mix of amusement and dread, the city insists that the fake reptiles are serving a crucial function in the ecosystem.
Andrea Moore, director of Mesa’s Parks and Recreation Department, explained to AZ Family, "First, we tried a dirt ramp that worked a little bit, but the turtles had trouble getting back into the water." She further added, "We found one of our vendors had these foam options and they are working out well. The turtles love them."
It's not just faux alligators and crocodiles making a splash; the city of Mesa plans to introduce a couple of foam hippos to join the mix, further adding to the park's ersatz menagerie. These innovative faux islands are not currently designed to just to deceive but to offer a safe passage for the turtles—often struggling to reach the shore. “They’re put in water for turtles to climb up on them so they can sunbathe and safely get back in the water,” confirmed Mesa officials in a report by ABC15.
While some may snicker at the confusion, others find a charm in these synthetic swamp-dwellers. "I think they are cool," park visitor Dorris Gorge told AZ Family. "I think they should put in more, maybe two more so people walking around can see it in other sections." However, the city advises anglers and onlookers, "Leave them in place — we have them spaced further out so anglers don’t catch them with lines. Leave the turtles be, peacefully," as stated by Mesa Parks and Recreation representative Andrea Moore to ABC15.
