Local

9-foot-long alligator spotted lurking in Outer Banks canal

KITTY HAWK, N.C. — (WVEC) Kitty Hawk residents were told to keep an extra close eye on their children and pets Monday morning after a large alligator was spotted swimming in a canal running through a neighborhood.

"It was a big gator, it wasn't a baby, I wouldn't want to go swimming with him," said witness Alex Argiroff. "Anything big enough to eat me gets my attention."

[Mom, 2 kids killed in fiery wreck after car hits alligator on I-95 in SC]

The nine-and-a-half-foot alligator was spotted lurking in the canal right behind the Argiroff's home on Pineway Drive.

"I came out and the alligator was out over by the “No Wake” sign. You could just see his head, he went up quite a bit and then went down," said Kathleen Argiroff.

Police immediately warned all the surrounding neighborhoods.

"I was at work and someone called me and said, ‘Get your cat and dog in, there is an alligator spotted on your street,’’” said Pat Piland.

A two-man Coastal North Carolina Alligator Research Team was nearby and called to the area. They pulled the gator to shore with a large fishing rod within minutes.

"They were saying it's the first record they have of an alligator over here on the island side of the Outer Banks,” said Alex Argiroff.

Witnesses told WVEC that once on land, the reptile remained calm while the experts measured and tagged him.

"I seriously doubt whether he'll ever get handled like that again," said Allen Chambers.

Chambers watched as the researchers taped down the animal's mouth, filled out paperwork, took some photos, and then released him back into the canal.

"Man, that sucker took off like a shot, and that’s the last I saw of him," said Chambers.

By law, the research team is required to release the animal in the same area it was caught.

Some residents said the alligator encounter will make them think twice before they get into the canal this summer.

“I have kids who come home all the time, they swim in the canal a lot, so it is concerning that there was an alligator here because no one is going to want to swim in the canal," said Kathleen Argiroff.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

WVEC

Most Read