Claims on TikTok about alligators living in the Schuylkill are not true, writes Michelle Myers for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
On a video showing a man waist-deep in the river, a commenter claimed to have conducted “deep research into the Schuylkill,” finding references to human waste, dead bodies and alligators. Viewers largely ignored the first two claims and fixated on the alligators. Other creators jumped on the trend and started making their own videos on the subject.
To prevent the speculations from getting out of hand, Rosemary Keane, the Schuylkill River Greenway communications director, said they were untrue.
“Alligators do not live in the Schuylkill River under natural circumstances,” she said.
The Schuylkill River Greenway has been working to improve the quality of the river and provide a better habitat for its native species, including otters, trout, pike, birds and insects.
“As a result of this work, the Schuylkill River is healthy and thriving, home to many native species of wildlife and plants; alligators are not in that category,” added Keane.
Lauren Augustine, Philadelphia Zoo director of herpetology, added that even if there were alligators in the Schuylkill, it is not likely they would be able to survive the long, cold winter.
Read more about the viral Schuylkill alligator rumors and why experts say it’s not possible in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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