Neighbors in one Wesley Chapel subdivision got an up-close look at Florida wildlife Monday when a large alligator lumbered into a residential driveway and briefly turned a quiet street into a front-row nature show. Curious residents watched and filmed as a Pasco County deputy and a licensed trapper teamed up to secure the reptile and haul it away.
A viewer-sent video aired by Tampa Bay 28 shows the gator being carefully corralled at a neighbor's driveway. The station reports that the Pasco Sheriff's Office and other authorities responded to trap the animal and remove it from the neighborhood. The Tampa Bay Times also ran a photo gallery that captures a deputy helping to restrain the alligator during the tense but controlled scene.
Who Handles Nuisance Alligators
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program sends licensed trappers to deal with alligators that pose a threat in developed areas. Residents are urged to call the toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286) rather than trying to intervene themselves. The FWC notes that an alligator is typically considered a nuisance if it is about four feet or longer and appears to threaten people, pets, or property.
How Residents Should React
Wildlife experts stress that people should keep children and pets away from the water and never attempt to feed or approach an alligator. The UF/IFAS Extension advises residents to let professionals handle wild animals and provides local contact information for non-emergency concerns. If a gator shows up in your yard, officials say to stay inside, secure pets, and call authorities instead of trying to move the animal yourself.
Local video and photos of the Wesley Chapel capture, featured in coverage by Tampa Bay 28 and the Tampa Bay Times, show how deputies and trappers worked together to subdue the alligator. Anyone with immediate concerns about alligators in their area is urged to contact the FWC hotline or their local animal services for help.
