A 13-foot alligator pulled from Nassau Bay this week has state wildlife officials sounding the alarm on Clear Lake, with residents and boaters urged to stay sharp as gators stay active through the summer along this busy Houston-area waterfront.
Officials' safety advice
Texas Parks and Wildlife is reminding people to keep pets on short leashes, keep a close eye on children near the water and stay at least 30 feet away from any alligator. Swimmers are urged to stick to designated swimming areas and stay out of the water at dusk and dawn, when gators are harder to spot and more active. Anglers are advised to cut the line and move to another spot if an alligator starts showing interest in bait or a catch, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Big gator removed from Nassau Bay
Two days after the advisory went out, the Nassau Bay Volunteer Fire Department posted on social media that, with authorization from Texas Parks and Wildlife, crews had removed a 13-foot alligator from the Upper Bay Road area. The department said the animal would be relocated to an alligator farm in El Campo, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. Photos show Bayou City Gator Savers' Timothy DeRamus securing the reptile, and he told reporters it was the largest alligator he had ever handled.
Why gators are on the move and what the law says
Peak alligator mating season runs from March through May, but Texas Parks and Wildlife notes that the animals stay active throughout the summer. Females continue guarding nests and hatchlings, younger gators disperse to new territory, and drought or heavy rainfall can push them into unfamiliar areas.
The agency also reminded residents that feeding alligators is a Class C misdemeanor, with fines of up to $500, and that it is illegal for the public to capture or relocate an alligator on their own. Any nuisance alligator should be reported to Texas Parks and Wildlife so trained personnel can respond, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
For now, officials say swimmers should stick to posted swimming areas and avoid the water at dusk and dawn, while anglers and boaters give wildlife plenty of space. If you see an alligator acting aggressively or lingering near homes, keep your distance and contact local authorities or Texas Parks and Wildlife.
