SC Press: Officials confirm Lake Bowen alligator - 25 Jul

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Posted by Wes von Papine�u on July 25, 2001 at 21:15:52:

HERALD-JOURNAL (Spartanburg, S Carolina) 25 July 01 Officials confirm Lake Bowen alligator (Gary Henderson)
Lake Bowen Warden Eddie Dearybury said searches have confirmed an alligator is living in the Spartanburg Water System lake near New Prospect.
Dearybury said water system workers and alligator specialists with the Department of Natural Resources spotted the animal late Saturday.
But the beast has not been seen since.
"We saw his eyes," Dearybury said.
"There were so many boats up there Sunday; I think they ran him into hiding."
Floats of raw chicken parts have been anchored among lily pads and along the shoreline of the 20-acre section of lake being searched.
Through the years, alligators have shown up in other Upstate lakes. Officials believe the reptiles have been released as babies by people who brought them back from beach trips.
Dearybury said the alligator will be relocated to the swamps in the Lowcountry after it is captured.
Several attempts by wildlife officials to tranquilize the alligator have failed.
"They hit him one time, but the dart bounced about 4 feet into the air," Dearybury said. "(Alligators) have tough hide."
Alligators are somewhat territorial. Officials believe the Bowen reptile will stay in the lightly developed northwestern end of the lake.
"That area is more conducive to their natural habitat," Dearybury said.
Alligators grow about 12 inches a year for the first six years of their lives, then more slowly.
The mouths of an adult alligator slam shut with about 3,500 pounds of pressure, experts claim.
The one in Lake Bowen is believed to be about 4 to 5 feet long, making it relatively young.
Alligators can live as long as 75 years.
Dearybury said it is not likely the alligator will pose a problem for people who swim in the lake.
"They're not very aggressive, as long as they're not being fed and start depending on people for food," Dearybury said.
People who spot the alligator should call 592-2240.
Officials were ready to begin night searches for the alligator Tuesday evening.
"We know he's there and we want to find him," Dearybury said.

SC Officials confirm Lake Bowen alligator

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: HERALD-JOURNAL (Spartanburg, S Carolina) 25 July 01 Officials confirm Lake Bowen alligator (Gary Henderson) : Lake Bowen Warden Eddie Dearybury said searches have confirmed an alligator is living in the Spartanburg Water System lake near New Prospect. : Dearybury said water system workers and alligator specialists with the Department of Natural Resources spotted the animal late Saturday. : But the beast has not been seen since. : "We saw his eyes," Dearybury said. : "There were so many boats up there Sunday; I think they ran him into hiding." : Floats of raw chicken parts have been anchored among lily pads and along the shoreline of the 20-acre section of lake being searched. : Through the years, alligators have shown up in other Upstate lakes. Officials believe the reptiles have been released as babies by people who brought them back from beach trips. : Dearybury said the alligator will be relocated to the swamps in the Lowcountry after it is captured. : Several attempts by wildlife officials to tranquilize the alligator have failed. : "They hit him one time, but the dart bounced about 4 feet into the air," Dearybury said. "(Alligators) have tough hide." : Alligators are somewhat territorial. Officials believe the Bowen reptile will stay in the lightly developed northwestern end of the lake. : "That area is more conducive to their natural habitat," Dearybury said. : Alligators grow about 12 inches a year for the first six years of their lives, then more slowly. : The mouths of an adult alligator slam shut with about 3,500 pounds of pressure, experts claim. : The one in Lake Bowen is believed to be about 4 to 5 feet long, making it relatively young. : Alligators can live as long as 75 years. : Dearybury said it is not likely the alligator will pose a problem for people who swim in the lake. : "They're not very aggressive, as long as they're not being fed and start depending on people for food," Dearybury said. : People who spot the alligator should call 592-2240. : Officials were ready to begin night searches for the alligator Tuesday evening. : "We know he's there and we want to find him," Dearybury said. :

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