Deanna Wheeler
deanna.wheeler@lakesunonline.com
Rumors about Wally are still swimming. But, fortunately, none have any teeth.
The five-foot alligator was being kept as a pet at a residence in Gravois Mills. In between traveling around for shows and exhibits, the owner kept Wally in a bathtub.
Last month Wally went missing from his bathtub.
Unaware of his exact location and believed stolen, Morgan County Sheriff’s Office sent out notices to the public to be on the lookout for the alligator.
In the time since, Detective Greg Martin said he’s received numerous calls and possible sightings, but none have been credible.
Several of the phone calls were based on rumors or third- or fourth-person reports, Martin said.
“It’s I heard from so-and-so, who heard from so-and-so, who heard from so-and-so that were out on the boat last week and they saw an alligator jump out of the water and eat a baby duck,” Martin said.
Not only that, the reported sighting was 20 or 30 miles away from where Wally was taken, near Anchorage Road.
“It is very unlikely that this animal is alive,” Martin stressed. “Even though it’s a wild animal, it’s not a typical wild animal.”
Wally was hand-raised from a young age. He has little to no experience hunting having been hand-fed his entire life as well.
He can survive on water and on land, however he can’t move fast enough to avoid boat traffic, etc., Martin said. Which means he’s had to hunt enough food and dodge boats for the last month.
Wally’s size has also set off the rumor mill.
The idea of a five-foot alligator has images of the 1999 movie “Lake Placid” - about a man-eating crocodile snapping up tourists - running through people’s mind, Martin said.
That’s hardly the case, he added.
Wally is an immature alligator, barely five feet in total length - his mouth isn’t five feet alone, like people often picture.
Martin said Wally’s mouth is about the size of a dog’s. One person would be able to pick up Wally - not that they are recommended to if they happen to come across him.
“He’s not a huge, monstrous beast,” Martin said.
Martin has had previous contact with Wally.
Several months ago, Martin was called to the same house because of concerns over Wally.
State statute requires any “dangerous” reptile to be registered with state however it doesn’t define what dangerous is, Martin said.
The law is a little ambiguous, Martin said, and there is no other formal process to follow.
However, since then, Wally has been registered.
With so many ‘ifs’ still surrounding the case - if Wally is alive, if he’s taking a swim in the lake, if someone finds him, etc. - Martin said he will continue to work the case and follow up on leads.
He urges the public if they do come across Wally to not disturb him, instead, call the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office at 573-378-5481 or 911. The Sheriff’s Office will contact Wally’s owner, an animal trainer, to get him.
“We’re going to leave that part to the professional,” Martin said.
