For two Slidell police officers, Sunday’s patrol came with a set of very small, very toothy jaws.
The Slidell Police Department shared photos of officers carefully wrangling a young alligator that had wandered into a residential neighborhood. The department said the juvenile gator was safely removed and relocated to nearby wetlands, according to the Slidell Police Department.
Slidell Police Department post
In a post shared June 21, 2026, the department identified the responding officers as Ezell and Lopez and showed them moving the juvenile gator out of the neighborhood, according to the Slidell Police Department.
How Wildlife Removals Work in Louisiana
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries coordinates nuisance-alligator complaints and licenses trained hunters and trappers to remove problem animals. State guidance tells residents not to try to handle or relocate alligators themselves and recommends contacting the agency or calling 911 in an emergency. For more on the state program and when removals are authorized, see the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Why Gators Show Up After Flooding
Floodwaters and heavy rain often push alligators out of marshes and into streets, yards, and driveways as they look for higher, drier ground. Post-tropical Storm Arthur dropped heavy rain across parts of southeast Louisiana this week and led to multiple flood-related wildlife sightings, including video of a gator gliding down a flooded Luling street, as reported by a gator gliding down a flooded Luling street and The Washington Post.
What Residents Should Do
Authorities advise keeping children and pets well away from any alligator and never trying to feed or move the animal. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries recommends leaving the animal alone and contacting state wildlife officials for nuisance removals, or calling 911 if the gator poses an immediate threat, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Slidell police have dealt with reptilian visitors before, including an alligator removed from Slidell High School’s campus in 2023, according to reporting by WDSU. For the latest photos and the department’s note on Sunday’s capture, see the Slidell Police Department.
