Commuters in Seffner got a little more wildlife than they bargained for Thursday morning when a 9-foot, 9-inch alligator parked itself near a school bus pickup along East Wheeler Road. A nearby runner spotted the reptile, called authorities and stayed on scene long enough to watch a licensed trapper haul the gator away. Officials said no one was hurt.
🐊Only in Florida🐊
— HCSO (@HCSOSheriff) March 6, 2026
This 9-foot, 9-inch alligator wandered a little too close to a Thursday morning school bus pickup in Seffner off East Wheeler Road. Thankfully, a nearby runner spotted the gator and called it in. A licensed trapper safely removed the alligator and no one was… pic.twitter.com/a087fqVOvv
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, deputies were alerted after the runner reported the gator lingering by the bus pickup. Responding officials said the animal measured 9 feet, 9 inches. A licensed trapper was brought in to remove the alligator, and authorities confirmed there were no injuries.
How trappers respond
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission oversees the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP), which sends contracted nuisance alligator trappers to deal with gators that could threaten people, pets or property. SNAP generally treats alligators four feet or longer as candidates for removal, issuing permits that authorize licensed trappers to capture them. The goal, officials say, is to protect public safety while still conserving Florida's alligator population.
Past encounters near Seffner
Neighbors in Seffner and surrounding areas know this is not their first brush with big gators in odd places. In 2020, FOX 13 Tampa Bay covered a massive alligator casually crossing a Seffner intersection. Last summer, a warning about increased alligator activity near waterways reminded residents that gators do not always stick to obvious wetlands. Those reports highlight how alligators sometimes roam while searching for food, mates or territory.
What residents should do
Officials urge residents and parents to give any alligator plenty of room, keep pets leashed and away from ponds, ditches and canals and never feed wild gators. If you think an alligator poses a threat, call FWC's Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR and report the sighting. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also advises contacting local law enforcement if a gator is close to schools or play areas. Quick reporting, officials say, helps trappers respond faster and reduces the risk to children and pets.
