Fake alligator prank causes scare in Washington town lake
The residents of a small town in Washington State were taken aback when they thought they spotted an alligator in a local lake. However, the creature turned out to be something else entirely.
According to the "Daily Mail," residents of the town in Washington experienced a moment of alarm when they believed they saw an alligator in the chilly waters of a lake in Cowlitz County. Officers from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife arrived to investigate the situation.
Upon arriving, Officer Blaine Corey approached the area cautiously, where the dangerous reptile was reportedly swimming. Corey and his companion quickly began to doubt whether what they saw was a real alligator. "Is that an alligator? Is that a fake? Is it a toy?" the man wondered aloud.
Corey decided to wait and see if the alligator would make any movements. It soon became apparent that the reptile was merely a decoy. Corey pulled it from the water using a stick, which led to both laughter and relief.
Yeah, that's fake. Its tail's not even attached to it. It's zip tied onto it," Corey remarked, as quoted by the "Daily Mail."
Prank or danger?
Corey noted that it seemed someone wanted to play a prank on the residents. The officer removed the fake alligator from the shore, to prevent it from frightening locals away from the lake's waters. Alligators are not a species naturally found in Washington State. It's understandable, as these reptiles usually don't thrive in cooler climates.
Although, in this case, the alligator was just a decoy, authorities remind the public that releasing foreign species into Washington's waters is not only illegal but also inhumane, as these species cannot survive in the local environment.
"Well, that's one way to keep people out of your secret fishin' hole," commented "Northwest Sportsman," as quoted by the "Daily Mail."
