Mon City aquatorium group names Mon River alligator its mascot
MONONGAHELA – The so-called Monongahela River alligator will be making several appearances this summer in the Mon Valley even if the real one supposedly seen last week is confirmed, captured and returned to a warmer climate.
Aquatorium Innovations, the nonprofit organization that manages the summer concerts in Monongahela, has “adopted” the alligator as its mascot and is asking the public to name a replica of the reptile.
“Nobody picked up on it, so we decided to adopt it,” said Claudia Williams, a member of the organization’s board of directors. “He has stirred up a lot of interest.”
Southwest Regional police based in Belle Vernon called out the U.S. Coast Guard to search for an unconfirmed live alligator reportedly seen twice by different people April 7 near the Speers-Belle Vernon Bridge. One of the witnesses claimed to have seen the animal devour a duck.
Several others called in to police to report having seen the alligator in the river after the story was reported by newspapers and television news programs.
Beegraphix apparel store in Belle Vernon will begin selling T-shirts next week bearing an image of an alligator and the phrase, “I saw an alli in the valley,” said store owner Dennis Slagle. An anonymous parody Twitter account, @MonGator, showed up last week as well.
Southwest police Chief John Hartman said there were no new sightings of the reptile, which he surmised may have hitched a ride on a barge north from Louisiana to the Mon Valley. Hartman also suggested the animal could be someone’s discarded pet.
Williams said more than 100 people have suggested names for the mascot on the Monongahela Aquatorium’s Facebook page, where the contest to name the alligator ends Wednesday. The person who submits the winning name will receive 10 free concert tickets to shows at the stage at the Second Street ramp to the Monongahela River.
Gulp the Gator and Rockin’ Around the Croc are among the names that have been submitted to the contest.
“We’re going to use him for photographs and others promotions,” Williams said.