A group of anglers recently captured video of a large alligator swimming near Port Aransas, Texas.
While fishing at night, the group spotted the alligator seemingly minding its own business in the bay, according to a video posted to TikTok on Sunday, August 12. The soundtrack to the video was, appropriately, “Big Dawgs,” a song by Indian rapper Hanumankind featuring producer Kalmi.
It’s not uncommon to see alligators around Port Aransas. In fact, there’s a 12-foot alligator in town named Boots who isn’t usually bothered by humans and hangs out around the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center. However, Boots recently made his way to one of the canals in Port Aransas, about a mile from his usual spot.
According to a report from KRIS 6 News in Corpus Christi, several people on social media said they saw people illegally feeding Boots and teasing him with sticks.
It is illegal to feed wild alligators, and violators of this law can face a fine of up to $500, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Boots is safe in his new spot in the canal in Port Aransas and is expected to return to his usual spot at the bird center on his own, according to TPWD. The department said it would only relocate him if safety was at risk.
TPWD told KRIS 6 News they are keeping a close eye on Boots’ status as well as anyone who contacts him illegally. If you notice any suspicious activity, you can report it to the department at (512) 389-4748.
It is now clear that there are plenty of other alligators to be discovered along the coast, such as at Aransas Pathways’ Holiday Beach Pond and at Mustang Island State Park.
“My son works near Surfside and they are all over his construction site,” one user commented on the original video of the alligator in the bay. Surfside Beach is about 171 miles north of Port Aransas.
“Always been there and always will be there,” another user commented on the video posted on LoneStarLive.com.
