![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/6WXQU3CX6JG5NAANLS5NHM76ZU.png\")
A small alligator showed up in one of the ponds on Texas A&M\u2019s campus.(KBTX)<\/p>\n
Research Park is a popular, public spot on campus where families walk, kids watch turtles and fish, and disc golfers sometimes step into the water to retrieve lost discs, which is why the sighting is getting so much attention.<\/p>\n
I spoke to one park regular, Drew Bowen, who said he grew up coming to Research Park with his mom and now brings his own kids to do the same.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was growing up, my mom would bring me here, we would feed turtles and catch frogs and look at the fish and enjoy the ducks,\u201d Bowen said. \u201cIt\u2019s so fun to come out and bring my kids. They caught their first turtle and then got to name it.\u201d<\/p>\n
But an alligator looming in the water changes the routine, especially for disc golfers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve played disc golf here a bunch of times, sometimes I\u2019ll jump in to try to get a disc for them,\u201d Bowen said. \u201cThen you notice that there\u2019s an alligator in there and\u2026 I\u2019d never expected to see an alligator out here.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Texas <\/a>Game Warden<\/a> told me it\u2019s not unheard of for alligators to turn up in unexpected places, especially after heavy rain, when higher water can push wildlife into new areas. This time of year is also a more active period for alligators.<\/p>\n That said, wardens can\u2019t say for sure how this one ended up at Research Park. Possibilities could include moving through connected waterways or someone illegally dumping it.<\/p>\n Because the gator is small, it\u2019s not considered a major threat right now, according to the warden. However, because Research Park is such a public area, it will likely be removed.<\/p>\n![\"Small](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/5USB4VHJXFDYPFEE464353KSWE.png\")
Small alligator spotted in pond on Texas A&M campus.(KBTX)<\/p>\n