Alligator makes Coppell its home

By Elizabeth De Santiago and Mira Daniel
JournaliZm

Rumors were circulating. Sightings were reported to 911.

On July 10, 2024, the city of Coppell officials confirmed on Instagram that there was a visitor in town that citizens needed to be aware of.

“Heads up, Coppell! Our Animal Services team has confirmed that there is an alligator in town, and it has been spotted in the north-eastern portion of Coppell, in and around the small ponds and tributaries along Denton Creek.”

This alligator first caught the eyes of residents in the northeast portion of Coppell near Denton Creek. The gator has since been seen in small creeks, ponds, and even backyards throughout Coppell. This giant alligator that has been spotted in and around the city of Coppell has been all residents of Coppell have been thinking about this summer.

Alligators are protected game animals, which means that no person may hunt alligators unless they have a specific license to do so.

Contrary to popular belief, these reptiles are a native species to Texas, and they have a population of around half a million as of recently. These alligator sightings have become more and more common in North Texas throughout the last couple of years.

The president of the North Texas Wildlife nonprofit said that alligators are likely to live in bodies of freshwater, and then relocate when there is heavy rainfall, which would explain why more and more alligators have been moving to North Texas.

The city posted a list of “dos and don’ts’’ when it came to the alligator, advising citizens to call their Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TWPD) regional office, supervise children around water, as well as informing citizens to enjoy viewing and photographing the alligator from a safe distance of at least 30 feet. They are also insisting residents do not feed the alligator. Under Texas law, feeding a wild alligator is a misdemeanor that comes with a $500 fine.

Despite how scary the entire situation may seem, citizens have been making light of the situation, with residents voting on names for the gator on a Facebook poll (the name “Andy Brown BEast”, named after the local park, is currently in the lead).

Coppell’s official Facebook page also posted a humorous video on Facebook of an inflatable alligator posing around town.

Getting in on the hype, The Dallas Morning News editorial board published a “letter” from the alligator, the last line begging citizens to let it stay:

“Seriously, just do me a favor. If I can’t be near Dallas, at least keep me in Texas. Is that too much to ask? All right then. That’s all for now. See ya later. Alligator.”