Erie residents are chomping at the bit to find out what's going on with the Lake Erie alligator.
According to Julie Slomski from the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority, the start of week three of the alligator search has arrived without any additional sightings and no traps have been set.
Port Authority officials will continue to watch for any signs of the reptile. In the event evidence is found, Slomski said they will inform the public.
Employees at Presque Isle Angler on Lake Front Drive have not seen or heard anything new.
Anyone with information on the alligator can call the Port Authority at 814-455-7557.
More: Alligator sighting in Lake Erie? Officials investigate claim, share safety tips
When was the alligator first spotted?
The alligator was first spotted Aug. 4. Erie resident Stina Roach said she saw the animal about 20 to 30 yards out on Lake Erie.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission contacted animal trapper Paul Kaiser from Best Wildlife Services , a wildlife removal business.
Swimming restricted on second day of search
On Aug. 6, the Port Authority noted that the number of people in search of the alligator had increased. A search conducted that evening did not yield any sighting of the alligator.
The Port Authority did restrict swimming in Lake Erie off of East Avenue on Aug. 7.
"We ask that visitors respect the signage throughout our footprint," Slomski said. "Especially where swimming is prohibited. Our goal is to ensure the safety of our visitors." Swimming in this area remains restricted as of Aug. 19.
Tracks found Aug. 7
Officials found suspected alligator footprints in the sand on Aug. 7 , but the waves made it difficult for experts to track them.
Eyewitnesses also told the Erie Times-News they had spotted the alligator between the East Avenue boat launch and the former Erie Coke Plant at 925 East Bay Drive.
Where did the Lake Erie alligator come from?
There has not been confirmation as to how the suspected alligator ended up in Lake Erie.
Since there have been no sightings since Aug. 7, the reptile could be anywhere.
"They're not known for long-distance traveling," Mitchell said. "They often stay in a relatively small area, but he can be as far as Harbor Creek to maybe the New York state line. That's about as far east it would go. The further west it would go it becomes more crowded or popular or busier there, it might avoid that location (since) it wouldn't want to be around the people and boats."
Harbor Creek Supervisor Tim May told the Times-News that no alligator activity has been reported from Shades Beach.
Mitchell said it's most likely a gator would remain near the shore and come up on land to bask in the sun.
"They usually like a little cover, like high grass," Mitchell said. "But anywhere on the shoreline is where it would be most comfortable."
Flight over fight
Another concern for the alligator is the number of people searching for it.
Mitchell said alligators do not like crowds and aim to avoid them. In the event the reptile enters a crowded space, they will choose flight over fight if given the choice.
"If given the opportunity, it will move away," Mitchell said. "If it is cornered or has an opportunity to fight or is hungry, then it might fight, but if given the opportunity it will go the other way."
Email Nicholas Sorensen at Nsorensen@gannett.com .
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Lake Erie alligator search enters Week Three. What we know
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