Alligator Captured After Found In Lower Bucks Co. Lake

BRISTOL TOWNSHIP, PA — The small alligator spotted in Magnolia Lake on Thursday has been captured.

Bucks County Park Rangers took custody of the roughly four-foot reptile without incident Thursday evening after it was captured by Kyle Asplundh, of Jupiter Alligator and Wildlife Sanctuary.

The Rangers received the animal at about 10:30 p.m. Thursday from Asplundh, a Florida resident who grew up in Bucks County, county officials said Friday.

The man reported that he had captured the male alligator in the area of Magnolia Lake, and in speaking with Rangers he indicated that he would like to take it to live at his alligator sanctuary.

The alligator spent the night with the Rangers and was returned to Asplundh this morning for safe keeping.

“We are happy to report that the alligator seen yesterday in Magnolia Lake has been safely captured by a person who has experience with these animals,” said Park Ranger Chief Patrick Durkin. “Bucks County Parks and Recreation and the Park Rangers thank Mr. Asplundh for his help in bringing this unusual incident to a close, as well as Bristol Township Police for their assistance.”

Bucks County Parks and Recreation manages Magnolia Lake as part of the Silver Lake Nature Center. Alligators are not native to Bucks County, and it is not immediately clear how it came to be in the lake in Bristol Township.

The Bristol Township Police Department was made aware of the gator swimming in the area of Magnolia Lake on Thursday and warned residents and visitors to stay away.

"If looking to check out some alligators, we’ve heard there’s a great exhibit at Adventure Aquarium in Camden, N.J., " police said in a Facebook post.

Click here to watch the video of the alligator in the lake

(Bucks County Government) Chief Park Ranger Patrick Durkin, right, and Kyle Asplundh on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025, handle the small alligator that Asplundh captured the previous evening at Magnolia Lake in Bristol Township.