Overview

• The viral TikTok, posted by Clair Hurta’s mother, shows the 12-year-old waiting between practice runs on the Colorado River near Bay City when an alligator surfaced just feet behind her.
• As of July 31, the clip has surpassed 543,000 views, drawing widespread attention to the rare encounter.
• Immediately after the close call, the Hurta family reported the reptile as a nuisance to Texas game wardens in line with state guidance.
• Texas Parks and Wildlife Department emphasizes that wild alligators typically avoid humans and only become nuisance animals if they lose their natural fear or associate people with food or boats.
• The incident underscores how social media can amplify wildlife safety discussions and highlight the intersection of youth sports with natural hazards.