Sighting of alligator swimming off shore of Lake Erie prompts Pennsylvania search

A search is underway for a small alligator in Erie, Pennsylvania, after it was captured on video last week swimming just off the shore of Lake Erie

ERIE, Pennsylvania — A search is underway in Erie, Pennsylvania, for a small alligator after it was captured on video swimming near the shore of Lake Erie last week.

The first sighting was on Sunday, according to the Erie Times Newsand since then, animal rescue specialists have been combing the area. There have been reports of possible footprints and other sightings this week.

It’s unclear how the alligator ended up in the freshwater lake, but authorities suspect it was a pet.

“We are aware of it,” Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission spokesman Mike Parker said Thursday. “If one of our officers were on other duties and saw the alligator, they could get involved. But we don’t have anyone actively looking.”

Parker said releasing an alligator, a non-native species, into the wild is a violation of Pennsylvania law. His agency sometimes investigates how such animals are released.

“In many cases the animal has been released, usually by an owner who no longer wanted the animal, could no longer afford it or could not cope with its size,” Parker said.

Trisha Volz of the Erie Reptile Expo said people have been flocking to the area to look for the alligator. She estimated it’s about 3 feet long and that it’s likely to find plenty to eat among the fish in the lake.

“I’ve been looking for him almost every day,” Volz said. “It’s really hard because there are so many people looking for him.”