Alligator found in Kentucky Lake

KENTUCKY (WFIE) - A Tri-State couple was out on Kentucky Lake when an alligator was found Saturday morning.

Their daughter sent us photos of the alligator, which looked to be a little over three feet long.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife officials say it was possibly hit in the head with a boat propeller and left the water, but it was not alive by the time officers arrived.

It was found in the Kentucky Dam Marina area near the paddle boat area.

In January 2018, an alligator was found near the Cumberland River in Harlan County, Kentucky. It was not alive, and likely died because of the cold.

In 2015, a three foot alligator was found living in Skaggs Creek near Barren River Lake.

Kentucky law forbids the transport or possession of an alligator, but people sometimes still try to keep them as pets.

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife officials say they can’t live in water colder than 40 degrees, so they will die if they are released into the wild in our area.