A remarkable find awaited a work crew tasked with investigating potholes on a city street when they stumbled upon a five-foot alligator residing inside an underground pipe.
Concerned about the series of holes that had surfaced on the road, the public works team deployed a remote-controlled robot equipped with a camera to inspect the underground pipes. Little did they expect the shocking sight that awaited them.
To their astonishment, the camera revealed the presence of a massive reptile lurking within the stormwater pipe. Initially, the crew mistook the creature for a large toad due to its obscure position.
Eerie footage captured the alligator perched in the shallow water, while the four-wheeled robot cautiously approached. As the camera drew near the alligator’s snout, the reptile gracefully turned around within the confined space and leisurely moved away.
Locals in Oviedo, near Orlando, Florida, US, were taken aback by the unusual discovery. One resident exclaimed, “Have you ever seen anything like that?” while another expressed their astonishment, stating, “Oh wow, scary.”
A spokesperson from the City of Oviedo, City Administration, commented on the incident, saying, “Initially, they believed it was a toad, and in the video, you can see two little glowing eyes until you get closer. However, as it turned around, they caught sight of the alligator’s long tail and followed its journey through the pipes.”
The spokesperson added a cautionary note, stating, “This is yet another reason why one should refrain from venturing into stormwater pipes! Thankfully, our crews have the assistance of a robot.”
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the state is home to approximately 1.3 million alligators. Any alligator exceeding four feet in length is considered a potential threat to residents, domestic animals, and property.
During this time of year, male alligators exhibit increased adventurous behavior as they embark on a quest to find a mate.
It is likely that the alligator in the video accessed the city’s drainage system through a stormwater pond designed to mitigate flooding during severe storms. Oviedo’s underground network comprises approximately 75 miles of stormwater pipes running beneath the city streets.
The unexpected encounter with the alligator serves as a reminder of the diverse wildlife that can occasionally emerge from the depths of urban infrastructure.
