They are a threatened species in Florida
A giant 10-foot American alligator was spotted swimming in the backyard pool of a home in the Florida Keys in the middle of the night. The horrified homeowners quickly called wildlife officials, after which a group of trappers from an organization called Pesky Critters Animal Control arrived at the location to remove the alligator.
A video has surfaced online in which expert wildlife trapper Todd Hardwick and his assistant trapper Jeff Peterla can be seen struggling to capture the crocodile before it is released into the wild.
Pesky Critters Wildlife Control shared the video on Instagram and wrote, “On Sunday, June 11th, 2023 at 2am wildlife officials received a call from a homeowner in Plantation Key at Mile Marker 90 regarding a large 10ft American Alligator in their pool The call came. Pesky Critters Wildlife Control trappers were dispatched to perform their role as FWC Crocodile Agents. Expert wildlife trapper Todd Hardwick quickly secured the alligator, even though its massive splashes created a slow and dangerous chase on the pool deck. He and assistant trapper Jeff Peterla made it up on deck where a Monroe County officer assisted them to a safe location for release.
Watch the video here:
In the video, a wildlife trapper wrestles the animal out of the water while the creature pulls, rolls and splashes around in the water. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, American alligators splash aggressively only when they are frightened.
After a brief struggle, the pair warm the reptile to the pool deck and restrain it before being dragged along the backyard patio. It was later released into a nearby reservoir.
American alligators are most common in the US around the beaches of South Florida, but are outnumbered by alligators. They are a threatened species in Florida and endangered elsewhere in the United States.
They live in areas of brackish or brackish water and can be found in ponds, coves, and creeks in mangrove swamps. They are incredibly fast swimmers, and they can swim at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour.
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