ICYMI: Lake Lanier Alligator Captured and Removed

CUMMING, GA — An alligator spotted several times in Lake Lanier recently has been captured.

The gator, which was about three feet long, was captured and removed from the lake Wednesday evening, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

"Due to the small size of the animal, it did not pose a substantial public safety concern," said John Bowers, Chief of Game Management with the DNR's Wildlife Resources Division. "However, this alligator was in unsuitable habitat well outside its normal range. It is our policy that such alligators be removed and, when appropriate, relocated to its natural habitat."

The animal was captured by DNR alligator agent and trapper Jason Clark of Southeastern Reptile Rescue. He used a snag hook, a proven live capture technique that poses no significant harm to the alligator, according to the DNR.

The gator will be relocated to south Georgia, within the typical range of where alligators live in the state, the DNR said.

According to the Department of Natural Resources, there are roughly 200,000 American alligators in Georgia -- almost all of them living south of the "fall line" that connects Augusta, Macon and Columbus.

Initially, there was some concern the Lake Lanier alligator may not have been releasable.
But Clark and DNR biologists determined that the animal is not habituated to humans, has no life-threatening injuries and is in overall good health.

The alligator was first sighted in the second week of July, with several subsequent sightings reported. It is believed that this was probably an animal that someone obtained illegally and then released into Lanier, which is not an appropriate alligator habitat.

Should anyone see an alligator in a non-traditional habitat location, they can report that sighting to a Georgia Wildlife Resources Division game management office (www.georgiawildlife.com/OfficeContact).

The DNR also reminds the public that they should never attempt to capture an alligator due to safety concerns, and that it is unlawful to possess or release live wildlife.

Top photo of Lake Lanier by User: PBT1981, via Wikimedia Commons. Alligator photo courtesy Georgia Department of Natural Resources