News 12 at 6 o'clock, June 16, 2009

MARTINEZ, Ga.---One day after News 12 is trudging through the woods in Columbia County on the search for a black bear, we're back--this time on the lookout for an alligator.

Monday night someone spotted a gator in Reed Creek Park. The park says no way, but does the picture below tell the story?

It's not unusual for alligators to be in this area, but it's pretty rare at Reed Creek Park. Children and pets are some of the most frequent visitors there. The prospect of an alligator has some alarmed and others excited.

Katie Driver and her son Ethan come out to Reed Creek Park to enjoy a little nature--but a little is all they're hoping for.

Recently a photo was snapped of what one visitor says is a live, eating, breathing, moving, alligator lurking just under the surface.

"I've never heard of them being in this area, so I think I'd be a little bit surprised. It's just not something you get to see a lot," says Katie.

"I've always known that they're around but I never get to see one. I've never seen one, so I think it would be neat to see one," says visitor Ashley Haines.

Folks at Reed Creek say they've never seen a gator in these waters.

"It looks like the bumps on the back of an alligator but it's really hard to tell. Most of the reptiles we see here are snakes and turtles, we have yet to see an alligator," says Education Coordinator Laura Beltran.

They say one reason is because the swamp here is so dry. "We have a small pond in the front, but it's so small I just don't think an alligator's going to be interested," says Beltran.

But the picture may say something else. "I'm sure they're more afraid of us than we are of them, and I doubt they're looking to do anything to us. They just want to be left alone," says Haines.

Since Katie and Ethan live a short drive away, she's not as worried either. "My backyard isn't behind here, so I guess I would be okay with that, probably," Katie laughs.

The people at the park say they're not ruling it out but that it's highly unlikely that an alligator is in the park. They do say they will keep an eye out from now on.