U.S. Border Patrol agents have detected an alligator in the murky waters of the Rio Grande, confirming earlier reports about the presence of large reptiles in this waterway, which forms part of the border between Mexico and the United States.
The riverine unit workers of the Fort Brown Station in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) region released a video this Friday showing the sighting recorded two weeks ago.
For several years, the Border Patrol has warned about the presence of alligators in the river. In 2022, migrants attempting to cross the river reported close encounters with crocodiles.
"We first saw two crocodiles coming down the river towards where a group of migrants was crossing and then saw a third one coming out of the water with its mouth open. We all saw it," recounted a Honduran migrant to ImpactoVisión News that year.
Migrants' testimonies about these encounters have often been met with skepticism. Many people doubt the presence of these animals in the river and suggest it could be a strategy by U.S. authorities to discourage illegal migration.
Other theories suggest that Texas farmers and ranchers, who claim to lose millions of dollars in crop damages due to migrant transit, might have introduced the crocodiles into the Rio Grande to curb the migration crisis.
Alligator Sightings in the Rio Grande: Key Questions Answered
The presence of alligators in the Rio Grande has raised several questions. Here are some key points to consider:
Are there really alligators in the Rio Grande?
Yes, there have been multiple reports and sightings of alligators in the Rio Grande, confirmed by the U.S. Border Patrol and migrants.
Why are alligators in the Rio Grande?
The exact reason is unclear, but some theories suggest they may have been introduced either by authorities as a deterrent or by local farmers and ranchers to prevent crop damage.
How do these sightings affect migrants?
The presence of alligators poses a significant danger to migrants attempting to cross the river, potentially leading to life-threatening encounters.