On July 6, 2018, MUD 500 received a report of a sighting of an approximately 5’ – 7’ alligator in the central portion of MUD 500’s lakes, south of the intersection of Towne Lake Parkway and Greenhouse Road, and east of Puckett Island. MUD 500 immediately notified its wildlife management contractor to attempt to locate the alligator and, if located, to remove the alligator upon obtaining the required nuisance permit. After an additional report of a sighting the next day, MUD 500 obtained a nuisance permit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and its contractor set a trap to attempt to catch and remove the alligator. Unfortunately, an unknown individual cut the line to the trap and disposed of the contractor’s equipment in the lake. The contractor did not locate an alligator, and the nuisance permit expired.
On August 1, 2018, MUD 500 received a new report of a sighting of an approximately 5’ alligator on the shore line of the southeastern portion of MUD 500’s lakes, southeast of the intersection of Tuckerton Road and Hamilton Hills Drive, and near Sabinal River Court. MUD 500 immediately obtained a nuisance permit from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and notified its trapper to attempt to locate and, if located, to remove the alligator. As directed by MUD 500, the contractor also has continued weekly monitoring of the lakes to search for any evidence of additional alligators and to take steps to remove them if any are found.
MUD 500 respectfully requests that residents of and visitors to Towne Lake refrain from interfering with its wildlife management contractor and/or any of the contractor’s lines, traps, or other equipment left in or near MUD 500’s lakes. Please be advised that tampering with alligator traps or otherwise interfering with the activities of MUD 500’s wildlife management contractor could potentially subject you to fines and/or criminal penalties.
MUD 500 also continues to request that residents report any sightings of alligators to its operator, Environmental Development Partners, at (832) 467-1599. MUD 500 encourages your district to share this information with your residents.