A large alligator took a surprising stroll through a Huntsville, Alabama, neighborhood this week before turning around and heading back to the preserve on its own, according to WAFF 48.
While the encounter was short, it showed how quickly wildlife can cross into fast-growing areas and how human-wildlife encounters increase as the boundary blurs between neighborhoods and the wild.
What happened?
Police in Huntsville were called to Haysland Road after a large alligator was spotted in a residential area, WAFF 48 reported. The gator eventually made its way out of the neighborhood and returned to the preserve without needing interference from officials.
Officials told residents to keep their distance when wildlife appears in the city. They also said people should not feed or approach wild animals and should contact authorities if one seems injured or poses a safety risk…