Gator Visits Suburb

Residents of the Morningside neighborhood in Meadow Pointe found an unexpected visitor Thursday evening. A 6- to 7-foot alligator wandered into the area and tried to climb the wall of a house.

By FRED BELLET / Tribune

By GEOFF FOX The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 25, 2007

WESLEY CHAPEL - A 6- to 7-foot alligator drew a small crowd of incredulous onlookers Thursday evening in the Morningside neighborhood in Meadow Pointe.

As the reptile attempted to climb the stucco wall of a house, near several electrical boxes, a woman across the street said, "Oh my God."

Pasco County sheriff's Deputy Todd Koenig said his agency was called to a house on Morning Mist Drive about 6:15 p.m.

Rick Skinner, onto whose property the gator crept, said it was the second one he had seen in his yard in five years. Homes on the street were built between at least two ponds.

"The other one was about a 5-footer," Skinner said. "It was in the middle of the night. We just left it alone, and it took care of itself.

"I would be of the mind to leave this one alone, too. If they trap it, they'll kill it, and what's the point of that? It's not hurting anybody."

Unfortunately for the alligator, Koenig said, a trapper had been called.

Neighbor Jennifer McCormick said she has seen about six baby gators in a nearby pond.

"Some people feed them," she said. "That's what I worry about. I have small children."

Wildlife experts advise against feeding alligators because they will associate food with people and perhaps harm someone.