Oklahoma alligator moving hatchlings caught on camera

McCURTAIN COUNTY, Okla. — The Red Slough Wetlands area is where native Oklahoma alligators have always lived. It’s the extreme SE corner of the state bordering on Texas and Arkansas, more than five hours south of the Joplin region.

In July the Oklahoma Dept of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) released details on Oklahoma alligator research projects at Red Slough Wildlife Management Area with study partners at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and Southwestern Adventist University.

As part of the study they have been monitoring a nest and hatchlings caught on trail camera.

| RELATED >> OKLA. ALLIGATOR STUDY BEGINS AT RED SLOUGH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

“Parenting in the wild is no easy task! This 8-foot alligator has been hard at work, hustling since early July when it began building its 6-foot diameter nest at Red Slough WMA,” ODWC state in a release of information along with video clips.

The alligator guarded the nest through August up to now.

ODWC says the alligator recently, “spent 13 hours digging out the 22 hatchlings and moving them to nearby water, one mouthful at a time.”

See the fascinating video above. Also scroll below and see video from July of another gator in the study.

Stay with Joplin News First on KOAM News Now as we continue to learn more on the project. Click here to follow ODWC FB page. Scroll below👇🏽 and sign up for our JLNews1st email list so you don’t miss an article.

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