Two large alligators were spotted cruising a Metairie canal on Wednesday afternoon, turning an ordinary stretch of water near West Esplanade and Severn Avenue into a sudden wildlife show. A nearby resident recorded the pair gliding through the narrow waterway in broad daylight, and the footage quickly circulated among neighbors. Gator sightings are common across south Louisiana, but seeing two sizable adults together in a busy residential corridor still caught people off guard.
Lacey Holdsworth recorded the video of the animals, which shows both reptiles cutting through the canal side by side, as reported by WDSU. The station updated the item on May 6, 2026, and credited Holdsworth with the footage. Neighbors told WDSU the sighting stood out because the canal sits amid heavy traffic and homes.
State wildlife officials are again reminding residents that waterways tied into larger drainage systems often host alligators and that people should avoid approaching or feeding the animals. According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, feeding alligators trains them to associate people with food and can increase the risk of dangerous encounters. The agency also advises keeping pets away from shorelines and reporting any aggressive animals to authorities.
Where Gators Turn Up In Metairie
Canals along West Esplanade have produced gator sightings before. WVUE ran video of an alligator sunning near West Esplanade and Nursery Avenue in 2015, and WDSU carried similar footage in April 2024. Those earlier episodes underscore how connected drainage canals can funnel wildlife into residential corridors, especially during periods of higher water or strong tides. Local residents say the new clip is a reminder to give the canals some extra respect.
How To Stay Safe
Officials urge basic precautions around neighborhood waterways. Keep children and pets well back from the water’s edge, never feed or try to move an alligator, and secure fish scraps and trash so they do not attract wildlife. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries notes it is unlawful to kill, harass or relocate alligators and recommends contacting LDWF or local law enforcement to report nuisance animals. If a reptile appears to pose an immediate danger near homes or roadways, those agencies can dispatch trained trappers to assess the situation…