Kayaker videotapes alligator swimming in Kiski River near Apollo
Sep. 17—A Vandergrift couple paddling the Kiski River on Saturday had an up-close encounter with a small alligator.
Theresa Jeroski was kayaking with her husband, Heath Evans, about 4 p.m. when three kayakers ahead of them alerted the couple to an alligator sighting.
"They said, 'There's a gator over here,' " Jeroski said.
Jeroski filmed a short video of the alligator swimming in the river and approaching her kayak.
The couple estimated the gator to be about 20 inches long.
The sighting took place near the Roaring Run Trail near Apollo, amid heavy vegetation along the riverbank.
"The alligator surfaced near my husband and would submerge. He was swimming around," Jeroski said. "From far away, it's very cute. Up close he appeared more playful. He was having a good time, but he doesn't realize the water will get cold."
Jersoski, 47, said the alligator seemed to be healthy.
The group of kayakers lingered in the area for about an hour, observing the alligator and attempting to catch it.
"When you put your hand down real slow, then he would bolt. Our party was trying to catch it, but we didn't have any luck," Jeroski said. "We're not experienced, but I think he can be caught."
The three kayakers told Jeroski they had reported the alligator to authorities.
"I took their word for it that they had called," Jeroski said.
Kiski Township police Chief Lee Bartolicius said his department fielded one report of an alligator sighting Saturday from a kayaker.
Bartolicius confirmed Sunday that the alligator had not been caught.
"That looks like Neo," said Bartolicius, referring to a juvenile alligator spotted swimming in the Kiski on Sept. 3 after escaping from its owner.
Neo's sighting was reported about a mile north of where an alligator some people named Chomper was rescued from the Kiski River near Apollo in August.
Chomper is living at Nate's Reptile Rescue in Pittsburgh.
Evans, 49, described Saturday's encounter as exciting.
"It was the last thing I expected to see," he said. "I knew there was an alligator on the loose. I was so excited. I did try to catch him and was about 2 inches away, but he was lightning fast."
The couple noted that the alligator would stay submerged underwater for up to 15 minutes.
Evans provided some impromptu bait to another kayaker who was trying to catch the reptile.
"I gave a Slim Jim to another kayaker with a fishing pole who said they would try and catch the alligator, but I don't know what happened. As far I know, (the alligator) is still in there," Evans said.
Evans plans to take a cast net with him this weekend on another Kiski kayak trip, in case he spots the gator again.
"I don't want to see the little guy die," Evans said.
The couple said Sunday they're hopeful the alligator is safely apprehended.
"We're avid animal lovers and wished we could have saved it," Jeroski said.
Joyce Hanz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joyce by email at jhanz@triblive.com or via Twitter .
