By D.S. Hoffman
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

On Friday, July 19 at approximately 4:15 p.m., the university police dispatcher received a call from a concerned individual at the Delta Building who stated that she was unable to get into her car due to an alligator in the parking lot.

The call was dispatched to the on-duty sergeant who responded immediately. Upon his arrival, he was flabbergasted to confirm that a juvenile alligator, approximately 2 1-2 feet long, was indeed stretched out on the hot asphalt; yet it seemed to be attempting to shield itself in the shade created by a car.

Obviously, this juvenile who diets on fish, crustaceans and small mammals had lost its way.

It was up to the university police department to assist this small reptile into its normal habitant.

Assisted by the use of a mobile patrol car and equipment used to catch snakes, the small alligator was guided across parking lot G and up a landscape stairway.

After allowing this small hunter to rest under a shade tree, the officers temporarily closed off traffic on University Drive and allowed this fresh water creature to cross the roadway, bringing it closer to the bayou on the other side of the thicket.

Once across the road, the juvenile was guided into the woods and left to finish its journey on its own.

Top of Page | Front Page