HOUSTON – Alligators are coming out and finding a place to stay in Houston area neighborhoods. Experts said it happens every year at this time. They said it is because it is currently breeding season. Recent rain is also causing alligators to venture out of their normal habitat, too.
Texas Parks and Wildlife dispatchers are getting as many as five calls a day from scared homeowners, who are finding these large, unwanted reptiles in their neighborhoods.
In fact, an 8 to 10 foot alligator is still wandering around the Lake Ridge subdivision in the Katy area. Neighbors said it even killed a pet cat.
"We've taken them out of any place you can imagine," said Larry Janik. "I took one from under a lady's car in her driveway the other day. They show up on patios. They show up at schools. Everywhere."
Larry Janik owns Janik Alligators farm in El Campo. Janik does alligator egg collection, retail sales of alligator products, processed alligator meat sales and alligator capture and removal for homeowners as well.
Janik said if you spot an alligator near your home or school, do not try to capture it on your own, and do not feed it.
"You go out there and you feed that alligator," said Janik. "He's no longer scared of humans anymore. And because of that, he'll now approach humans."
Janik said homeowners should only call Texas Parks and Wildlife's game wardens in an emergency. Otherwise, call TPWD La Porte dispatch.
Texas Parks and Wildlife has some important information on what to do if you see an alligator in your neighborhood.
Find out more here: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/index.phtml?req=20100507c
Nuisance alligators may be reported to the TPWD law enforcement communications center for Southeast Texas in La Porte at (281) 842-8100.