Fairhope Gator Captured

By Debbie Williams Reporter

A second alligator has been removed from the public beach in Fairhope. Fairhope Gator Captured

Published: Mon, June 23, 2008 - 6:33 pm Last Updated: Mon, July 28, 2008 - 9:39 pm

Debbie Williams

A second alligator has been removed from the public beach in Fairhope. What was a public safety concern turned into a wildlife lesson for some kids who thought school was out for summer.
There's been a visitor in the duck pond at Fairhope public beach for a few weeks now according to seven year old Grace Tarver. "I think it's pretty amazing there is a gator out here."
And while it may be "amazing", there's a public safety concern. So, Alligator Control Agent Gary Casper threw out a line and some bait in hopes of catching the little fella with a big bite. What he caught instead was the attention of half a dozen or more kids intent on helping.
After a couple of hours, success. But now that they caught him, now they have to pull him in and that's where the rules come in to play says Casper. "We're going to pull him in and when he see you, he'll want to run. Just drop the line and let him run."
One by one the helpers pulled him, finally getting him to the bank.
They had caught about a three and a half foot alligator. It will be released at an undisclosed location and and hopefully he won't be back anytime soon.
That's what Emma Reddick is hoping, "It's probably good for him. They should release him back to his habitat because if he stays here he could bite someone or really hurt someone."
Fairhope police say they have received an increase in calls concerning gators. Sgt. Craig Sawyer says if the alligator is small leave it alone but if any alligator becomes a threat call police or animal control.