A surprise visitor stirred up some excitement at Eagle Mountain Lake this week - a 10-foot, nearly 300-pound alligator was spotted and safely captured by wildlife crews.
Texas Parks and Wildlife officials say the massive gator was relocated to a more remote area as part of a broader conservation study tracking the species’ movement and habitat range across the state.
While gators are more commonly associated with the swamps and bayous of East and Southeast Texas, sightings in North Texas - especially during warm months - aren’t unheard of.
Experts believe the alligator likely made its way north through interconnected waterways, drawn by rising water levels and seasonal changes.
Officials say the public was never in danger, but they're reminding folks to report future sightings and to never approach or feed wild alligators.
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