Alligator sighting leads to warning signs in Lindale Park

LINDALE, TX (KLTV) - Park-goers in one East Texas city are being cautioned to be on the lookout for alligators in the lake at Faulkner Park in Lindale.

The news has some park visitors nervous.

"Extremely, extremely cautious after we learned about the alligators. I didn't know it yet when I came to the park today that there is a possibility here, so yes, definitely," said park goer, Dwana Stillwell.

A few weeks ago Texas Game Wardens received a call about an alligator in the lake. After a site survey officials said they don't believe the gator was just dumped there.

"It is very likely that they did migrate into the pond because of food source, and it's a safe place for gators to be," said Texas Game Warden Capt. Quint Balkcom.

The City of Lindale did take proactive measures and placed signs across the park warning people not to swim and not to try to feed the animal.

"They get up on banks to regulate their body temperatures. So if you see it, avoid it; take nothing but pictures," Balkcom said.

Stillwell said she has had one encounter with an alligator on private property.

"It moved kind of slow, but when it came in, he didn't come up very far and went back into the water," Stillwell said.

She hopes that's something her family will never have to experience.

"Every day we have to be vigilant in watching our kids, whether its alligators or anybody else," Stillwell said.

According to Balkcom, the alligator has not been a problem, but if does become an issue they have nuisance control hunters that can come relocate it.

Copyright 2017 KLTV. All rights reserved.