Alligators in My Neighborhood

In Northern Virginia, there are lots of creeks and streams that feed the Potomac River.  There are a few lakes too, but most of them are man-made.  And all of it is fresh water.  Which might make a good environment for an alligator if it was put there by a local yokel.

From the AP here:

RESTON, Va. – She had seen it on TV plenty of times, so for Erin Kemp, wrangling a stray alligator that wandered into her yard was no big deal.
 
She spotted the 2 1/2-foot-long gator Monday night in her suburban Washington neighborhood while taking out the garbage. Kemp told a 9-year-old neighbor to get away. She then grabbed a pen she uses to corral her kids’ guinea pigs and attempted to capture the animal.

At first the gator dashed away, but Kemp didn’t give up. She picked up the guinea pig pen again and threw it over the gator.

Three animal control officers finally arrived and took the gator away. They have not determined where the animal came from. It’s unusual — but not unheard of — to find an alligator in the suburbs, staffers at the Fairfax County animal shelter said.

For the suburbs, my town is full of wildlife.  But gators is a new one for me.