Alligator sighting in Washington state triggers investigation

Alligators are not native to Washington State and have not been able to establish themselves there due to the cool climate. But somewhere in Snohomish County, a very large alligator is on the hunt.

“Granite Falls officials are investigating the sighting of a 10-foot alligator near the 9400 block of Ray Grade Road,” the Snohomish County Sheriff announced late Friday via X. “The reptile was last seen south of Ray Grade Road toward the Pilchuck River.”

A grainy image shows the alligator in dense vegetation.

Granite Falls officials are investigating the sighting of a 10-foot-long alligator near the 9400 block of Ray Grade Road. The reptile was last seen south of Ray Grade Road toward the Pilchuck River.
No further information at the moment. pic.twitter.com/KJWBTF9geZ

— snocosheriff (@SnoCoSheriff) July 20, 2024

KIRO 7 reported that the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife was aware of the sighting, but at this time had no plans to attempt to locate or capture the reptile.

“There are no homes near where the alligator was spotted, so officials are hoping there will be no interactions with humans,” KIRO 7 reported.

It is unclear who previously owned the alligator or how long it survived in the wild.

Mississippi alligators are native to the southeastern United States and thrive in hot, steamy regions such as the Everglades in Florida.

Sightings in Washington state are extremely rare, but in 2016 several reported sightings at Lake Meridian prompted Kent City authorities to post warning signs along the shore.

–The general image at the top of this post is courtesy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.