A hulking 11-foot alligator caused quite the commotion after meandering onto a farm in Southwest Miami-Dade, drawing the attention of local authorities and wildlife officials. The gargantuan reptile, which was holed up under a tree near Southwest 218th Court and 226th Terrace, was safely removed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with assistance from the Miami-Dade Police, according to a report from NBC Miami. No injuries were reported following the incident.
In a separate but related incident recounted to CBS News Miami, Tim Nguyen experienced what he described as tense moments Tuesday after his dogs' persistent barking alerted him to the presence of an massive gator lurked in his own backyard. The farm, located at S.W. 237 Ave. and 233rd St., had been Nguyen's for six years, and he had never countered such a terrifying guest. "I heard my dogs barking a lot," Nguyen explained. "I went to see what was going on and they were barking a lot. An alligator was over there. I was just so nervous. And I was scared. I was very scared and I called 911 right away."
Veteran wildlife trapper Todd Hardwick, who has clocked 42 years dealing with Florida's robust alligator population, attended the scene. Hardwick, who works with Pesky Critters, reported the nuisance gator measured at an impressive 11 feet and 7 inches and tipped the scales at 480 pounds. Following its capture, Hardwick explained the alligator's fate would be one of captivity or harvesting given its likelihood of returning if released back into the wild. "This is time of year when they move around a lot and their metabolism increases with the warmer weather and longer days," Hardwick noted, emphasizing the alligator's search for both food and potential mates during this more active period, as reported by CBS News Miami.
Miami residents are urged to remain alert and keep their distance if they encounter an alligator. Hardwick advises against attempting to trap one, warning of the illegal and extremely dangerous nature a such acts. For those who spot an unwelcome scaly visitor, the Florida Wildlife Commission provides a Nuisance Alligator hotline at 1-866-FWC-GATOR (392-4286) to dispatch experienced trappers like Hardwick. In any such event, residents should not engage, pet, feed or harass the animals as state law protects alligators from such disturbances.
