A group of Girl Scouts in Huntsville, Texas had quite the fright when a trip to Lake Raven ended in the form of a 14-foot alligator. It began swimming in their direction. A bystander filmed the event, commenting on the gator slipping into the shallows and making its way towards the group. The troupe leader spotted the giant reptile and promptly evacuated the screaming girls.
Luckily no one was hurt, and all were evacuated safely. The lake was closed for the rest of the day. Though there’s really no telling whether or not the girls were actually in danger. According to Texas Parks & Wildlife, most gators have a natural fear of humans. If the gator was approaching the girls, it’s likely that it’s been fed by humans before and was looking for a morsel. Alligators usually aren’t visible when they’re actively hunting. So perhaps a mixture of curiosity and the promise of a treat — not a human one — might have pushed the big fellow to approach.
Apparently a gator that actively approaches people is considered a “nuisance” gator. One that’s gotten too used to people and potentially interacted with them. At least in a capacity that has built a somewhat dependent relationship. Yes, there’s a lot of screaming and panic going on from the humans involved. But the 14-footer might have simply been looking for a handout. It’s uncertain whether anyone would have been hurt. Possible the gator might have panicked and swum off once it got too close. It’s likely the gator may be relocated to a space where humans won’t come by. Maybe he just wanted to put in an order for some delicious cookies!
