Local officials have issued a warning to Coppell residents after multiple alligator sightings were reported in the northeastern part of the city.
The City of Coppell, in collaboration with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) officials, issued a warning and a list of cautionary measures that residents should take if they encounter an alligator. The city shared video footage from a local resident who recorded an alligator lurking in ponds and tributaries near Denton Creek, Fox 4 KDFW reported.
Coppell Animal Services advised residents to avoid swimming or fishing in these waters until further notice, emphasizing safety concerns associated with encountering wild animals.
According to Texas law, feeding alligators is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $500 fine. Alligators are protected under state regulations, and only the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife can authorize their relocation. TPWD has its own nuisance control protocol that must be followed when handling alligators.
Officials urge anyone who spots an alligator to keep a safe distance of at least 30 feet. In the event of a close encounter, residents are advised to back away slowly so as not to antagonize it. Keep in mind that alligators can move quickly over short distances, reaching speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alligators were responsible for the deaths of 10 humans in the southeastern United States from 1999 to 2019. During this same period, the incidence of fatalities due to dog attacks was five times higher, and deaths from lightning strikes were 12 times more likely to occur, per Live Science.
Between 1948 and 1922, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission documented 453 incidents of alligator bites on individuals in the state, resulting in 26 fatalities.
Alligator sightings in North Texas are fairly common, with historical records of their presence in DFW waterways dating back to the 1800s, per WFAA. As a species native to the region, they have inhabited these areas for centuries.