Overview
- Seven Sarasota County sheriff’s deputies worked with a certified trapper on December 2 to secure the alligator, tape its jaws, and lift it into a pickup for transport.
- The Sheriff’s Office posted video of the operation along with a humorous caption that quickly went viral on social media.
- Reports describe the reptile as nearly 4.3 meters (about 14 feet) long, placing it among Florida’s largest male alligators documented by the FWC.
- The animal was taken to a specialized farm after capture, and authorities reiterated that only certified personnel may handle alligators under state rules.
- Published accounts differ on the alligator’s weight, with some reports citing roughly 300 kilograms and others about 600 pounds (approximately 272 kilograms).