On Monday, a 5-foot alligator paid a surprise visit to a 104-year-old Florida resident. When the woman called, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office was there, close to Atlantic Boulevard and Art Museum Drive. On social media, police stated that they “have quite the ‘tail’ to tell” regarding the incident.
Luckily, with the help of licensed trapper Mike Dragich, the gator was safely captured and relocated. The officers joked that they “couldn’t cuff him” but assured the public that the gator was “alive and well in a different location.”
The social media post reads, “We can’t cuff him.” Officer Kopp and Johnson have quite the “tail” to tell about responding to a nuisance gator’s home near Atlantic Boulevard and Art Museum Drive on Monday. Licensed trapper Mike Dragich was chomping at the bit to snap into action and help the grandma say, “See you later, alligator.” Before your jaw drops, the trapper says the 5-foot catch of the day is alive and well in a different location. All in a day’s work.
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In Florida, alligators are widespread and can be found in a variety of freshwater environments, such as lakes, rivers, swamps, and even some brackish regions. It’s rare to find them directly adjacent to homes, though.
Because they are adaptive animals, they occasionally stray into suburban areas, particularly when there are canals or ponds nearby.
Although they are uncommon in backyards, alligators can stray into populated areas close to bodies of water, such as ponds or canals. It is recommended that residents of Florida keep a safe distance away from alligators and remain vigilant when near water.
