Woman Finds 8-Foot Long Gator Under Car

A Van Zandt County woman got an unexpected surprise Wednesday night when she went outside of her home and found an eight foot alligator under a car in her driveway.

"She went out to get something out of her car and found the gator underneath it," said Texas Game Warden Steve Stapleton.

The house is located on VZCR 1106 just off of Highway 19 north of Canton.

"She did the right thing. She called the sheriff’s office and they got in touch with me," he said. "Should you come upon an alligator like this, don’t run, just calmly back away."

Stapleton said that alligators are usually scared of people but that it is not a good idea to make any sudden movements around them. He said that most alligators will run away when they see people and that alligators are faster than people expect them to be.

"It is uncommon to find alligators like this. We have them all over the county and all over East Texas but normally they are not in such populated areas," said Stapleton.

Stapleton said that this particular alligator may be sick and that is why she did not run away.

"It is very abnormal for the alligator not to have tried to run away," said Stapleton.

On June 6, the Canton Police Department notified Stapleton of a call they received from a 16-year-old who claimed he had spotted a six-foot alligator in the Old City Lake in Canton, located off Old Kaufman Road.

Since then Stapleton has been monitoring the lake, but has yet to spot the gator.

Residents and lake visitors have been asked to use caution.

"If you see a gator, don’t try to touch it or pick it up. Don’t try to feed it or give it a name and keep it as a pet. Just call and let us take care of it," said Stapleton.

Stapleton said that if he is called to an alligator sighting and it is in a big pond or lake he will leave it there.

"Sometimes we just let them be but if it is somewhere it shouldn’t be we will pick it up and relocate it," said Stapleton.

Stapleton said that he relocates four to five alligators per year.

"I will relocate this one to a suitable, less populated habitat, but alligators are very mobile so she could pick up and move again," said Stapleton.

Stapleton said that Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers Kaleb Bullock and Clint Pirtle helped him round up the alligator.

"I really appreciate the troopers’ help. They and the sheriff’s deputies are always so good to help me. Being the only game warden in the county can be difficult and I really want to thank them for all they do," said Stapleton.