Alligator seen in Boca Ciega

By Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 26, 2000

MADEIRA BEACH -- For the second time this summer, an alligator has been discovered lurking in saltwater near a Pinellas residential neighborhood.

The alligator, which bystanders estimated at more than 4 feet long, was possibly washed into Boca Ciega Bay by the heavy weekend rains, said Cody Lucore, of 810 Baypoint Drive.

Lucore said the alligator, which was missing one of its front legs, approached the sea wall, where a group of seven or eight people had gathered to watch it Saturday.

Lucore said he wanted to warn the surrounding neighborhood about the gator.

"It's not a good place for him, and it's not safe for people," he said.

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