This will get your adrenaline pumping! A massive 11ft gator lunging at Pesky Critters trappers; it’s like something out of Jurassic Park! An 11ft alligator was trapped at 3:30am this morning after a resident was out exercising and crossed paths with it near the Homestead sports complex on 152nd Ave. The call first came into Homestead police and Todd Hardwick along with his trappers at Pesky Critters Wildlife Control were quickly dispatched. After quite the battle, they successfully captured the gator.
Tips for South Florida residents if they encounter an alligator:
-Don’t approach it, Call FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286) if you’re concerned about an alligator
-Don’t walk pets near the water’s edge, always keep dogs on a leash near lakes and canals and stay at least 20 feet away from the water’s edge when walking near these areas.
-Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn. Therefore, avoid swimming at night. Do not swim outside of posted swimming areas or in waters that might be inhabited by large alligators. Dogs often attract an alligator’s interest, so do not swim with your dog.
-Never feed an alligator. That is dangerous and illegal. Dispose of fish scraps in garbage cans at boat ramps and fish camps. Do not throw them into the water. Although you are not intentionally feeding alligators when you do this, the result can be the same.
-Alligators are a fundamental part of Florida’s wetlands, swamps, rivers and lakes, and they are found in all 67 counties.