See you later, baby alligator: ‘Longview Lou’ sought for safe capture at KC area lake
A baby alligator has been spotted at Longview Lake.
Word of the alligator spread the day before, when a Facebook video posted Wednesday showed it swimming near the Longview Lake Marina, 9898 Longview Road.
County officials confirmed the sighting Thursday.
Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota said authorities had determined the animal is a two-foot juvenile alligator.
They have named the alligator “Longview Lou.”
The Jackson County Parks Department contacted the Missouri Department of Conservation immediately after the sighting. Both agencies have confirmed it is an alligator.
The conservation department, Kansas City Animal Control and Jackson County Parks planned to set traps at the lake later Thursday to safety capture the reptile.
Kansas City Animal Control has determined the juvenile alligator is not a threat to the public.
Animal Control and county officials have decided not to close the beach at this time.
Animal Control officials speculated that someone released their pet alligator into the lake.
This story was originally published June 25, 2026 at 1:18 PM.
