Residents discovered a six-foot alligator in a Foxborough back yard Thursday morning. With its mouth already taped shut, officials believe the gator may have escaped poachers.

Foxborough subdivision residents can rest easy. Bones found near an alligator earlier this week are not human.

The alligator that surprised a Foxborough couple early Thursday morning was in a safe destination by Friday.

The bones found near the alligator were those of a catfish, said Donnie Bartow, the region’s certified alligator hunter.

The Foxborough alligator is the latest in a series of reports of alligators spotted recently in South Georgia. Within one week Bartow has already received eight calls related to alligator sightings.

At approximately midnight Monday, May 9, a motorist reported hitting an alligator on Ga. 376.

Bartow received a call that an alligator was seen on Interstate 75. By the time officers reached the destination, there was no alligator in sight.

Bartow warns residents to be wary due to the fact this is breeding season for alligators.  

“It is so hot, they need the food source. It’s the breeding season that’s why they are so active, ” Bartow said.

The alligator found near Foxborough is believed to have come from the river and there were no signs of humans hunting in that area.

Someone had taped the gator’s mouth shut. It is possible whoever taped the alligator’s mouth shut had been carrying it by river boat.

The Foxborough couple’s cats may have attracted the alligator.  When hunger strikes, alligators will travel away from their water source.