A women encountered a rare Yangtze alligator at a fishing spot in eastern China.

The video was filmed in the city of Xuancheng in Anhui Province on September 24.

Ms Nie was enjoying a peaceful day of fishing at a local fishing when she suddenly spotted a large creature floating not far from her in the water. "At first, I was startled, but then I realised it was a Yangtze alligator," Nie explained.

The Yangtze alligator had its head protruding above the water, with most of its body lazily floating, perfectly still. On the September 25, she returned to the fishing spot and once again spotted the same Yangtze alligator in the same location, leisurely swimming on the water's surface.

"I've been fishing here before, but it's my first time encountering a Yangtze alligator," Nie remarked. The locals are well aware of the gentle nature of Yangtze alligators and know that they won't charge out of the water, so she wasn't afraid.

Nie mentioned that the fishing spot is near a reservoir, so besides the fish stocked by the owner, there are likely fish that migrated from the reservoir, and this Yangtze alligator probably came from there.

On September 27, the fishing spot owner responded, confirming that there are indeed several wild Yangtze alligators living in the area for the past three to four years.

As Yangtze alligators are a nationally protected species, they haven't been driven away from the fishing spot.

Public records indicate that the Yangtze alligator, also known as the "Tu Long" or "Chinese Alligator," derives its name from its primary habitat along the Yangtze River. It's an endemic and critically endangered species in China and is a nationally protected wildlife species.

Compared to other alligators, Yangtze alligators are relatively small, with adults reaching a length of only 1.5 to 2 metres and a weight of 30 to 45 kilograms. Moreover, they are known for their gentle temperament, sensitivity to their surroundings, and their tendency to avoid humans when they sense activity. So far, there have been no reported incidents of wild Yangtze alligators harming humans.

The video was provided by local media with permission.

9月24日早上7时许，安徽宣城，聂女士到泾县一处钓场垂钓时，突然发现前方不远处的水面浮着一只体型较大的动物。“一开始还是吓了一跳，后来发现是一只扬子鳄。”
聂女士说，扬子鳄头顶露出水面，大半个身子浮着，一动也不动。25日，她再次来到钓场钓鱼，又在同一位置看到了这只扬子鳄，它懒懒地在水面游动。26日、27日，自己继续来钓场垂钓，但已经看不到鳄鱼的身影。
“我以前也来这里钓过鱼，但还是第一次遇到扬子鳄。”聂女士说，自己是泾县本地人，当地有很多个扬子鳄保护区，大家都知道扬子鳄的习性，知道它性格比较温驯，不会从水里冲上来，所以自己并不害怕。她说，该钓场靠近水库，水中除了老板放养的鱼，估计也有从水库游过来的鱼，这只扬子鳄估计也是从水库那边过来的。
9月27日，钓场老板对此回应说，钓场里确实有多只野生的扬子鳄，它们在这边生活了三四年了，因为扬子鳄是国家一级重点保护野生动物，钓场也没进行驱赶。虽然扬子鳄性格温顺，但它们仍然是有一定攻击性和攻击能力的野生动物，如在野外或动物园看到扬子鳄，不要骚扰和逗弄它，更不要用人类食物投喂它。看到了扬子鳄建议大家绕开，不要去碰它。
公开资料显示，扬子鳄俗称“土龙、中华龙”，因其主要生活在长江（扬子江）而得名，是我国特有的珍稀物种、极濒危物种和国家一级重点保护野生动物，主要分布在安徽东南部的泾县、广德、南陵县和宣城市宣州区。和其他鳄鱼相比，扬子鳄体型较小，成年个头也只有1.5米-2米，体重60斤-90斤。而且它们也是为数不多性格温驯的鳄鱼，对周围环境比较敏感，听到人类动静后会主动躲避，目前为止还没有发生过野生扬子鳄伤人事件。