An alligator was spotted recently “knocking” on doors in the Tortuga neighborhood of Lee County, Florida, during the start of alligator mating season.
Video footage from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office showed the alligator approaching front porches, even getting its head stuck in a folding chair at one point.
Deputies and a licensed trapper safely captured the alligator, with no injuries or damage reported.
This behavior is linked to increased alligator activity during mating season (May-June), when males become territorial and may wander into residential areas seeking mates or territory, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
On Friday, March 14th, 2025, the Cheboygan Police Department responded to an unusual situation at the Pine River Motel in Cheboygan, Michigan.
Housekeeping staff discovered a live alligator, later identified as Wally, while cleaning a room after a guest had checked out. The alligator, approximately 3 feet long, was found under a bed, surprising the motel workers who were accustomed to finding more typical items like iPads or earrings, but never a reptile of this kind.
The police investigation revealed that Wally belonged to an exotic animal handler who had been in town to conduct educational presentations for elementary school children at schools like East Elementary and Bishop Baraga. The owner had several exotic animals with him for these assemblies and had realized Wally was missing but was unsure when or where the alligator had escaped. After being contacted by the police, the owner, who had already left for Detroit, agreed to return to Cheboygan to retrieve his pet.
The motel staff allowed Wally to remain in the room until his owner arrived and officers facilitated the reunion on Friday night. Described as a “real friendly gator” by the motel manager, Gary, Wally posed no immediate danger, even allowing police officers to hold him. No charges have been reported at this time. The incident has since gained attention as a peculiar and unexpected event in this northern Michigan town, located about 280 miles northwest of Detroit.
On Saturday, March 15th, 2025, residents of Daniel Island Village apartment complex in South Carolina gathered for a vigil to honor Walter, an alligator who had lived by a pond on the property for over a decade.
Walter, a beloved figure in the community, was killed the previous day, Friday, March 14th, following complaints reported to the management over the past week. The decision to euthanize him was carried out by contractors from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, in line with state protocols for handling alligators deemed a risk to residents or pets.
Neighbors described Walter as a peaceful presence, often seen sunning himself by the pond, and noted that he never bothered people, even those walking by with children or pets.
The vigil, organized by resident Rebekah Cole, featured a moment of silence, a prayer and shared reflections on Walter’s role in the community that culminated in a walk to his former pondside haunt. The event reflected the deep affection many felt for Walter, with Cole expressing that despite being a “cold-blooded animal,” he was a cherished part of their lives.
The apartment complex management acknowledged Walter’s death followed state law, as alligators are protected but can be removed under permit if considered a nuisance.
The incident stirred emotions with residents mourning the loss of a local icon who had even been featured in a February 2024 Facebook post by the complex, celebrating his emergence as a sign of spring.
The Social Pie Network! 