Removal services searching for alligator near local schools

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) –  Alligator sightings happen all over the Cape Fear.

Recently, there was one spotted in Veterans Park and removal services are looking for it. The site is a short walk from Murray Middle school and Ashley High.

“They had two alligators in this pond over here by the school and wanted to get them removed,” said James English who works as a damage control agent with Wildlife Removal Service.

English was called in days ago because an alligator was spotted in the pond at Veterans Park. He and his team received a permit and are trying to capture the alligator.

“One of them seems to have already left,” English said. “But the other one is still here and he’s not cooperating with us very well.”

“The gator himself is at risk because he’ll get in the street and a car will hit him or run over him. Some of the boys maybe get out, try to catch him with fish hooks and all that kind of thing and throw rocks at him It’s just not a good environment for an alligator,” English said. “Especially on school grounds.”

English says they will capture the alligator soon enough but asks the public to not try to feed it. Some people in the area agree with that.

“It makes me feel scared especially because kids don’t know any better,” said Carmelita Wellington. “So if they’re trying to feed an alligator, they think it’s cute or something. They could potentially get hurt.”

English says the gator does not pose a risk to the public but it’s still a wild animal.