SheriffLeeFL / Matt Devitt
A 600-pound alligator measuring a whopping 12ft in length was captured at the Coconut Point Mall in Estero, Florida and relocated by a team from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
This prehistoric-looking alligator is an absolute unit. And though it might not have posed a direct threat to Christmas shoppers, only a fool would deny that all parties involved were safer after the 600-pound alligator was relocated.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office shared video of the massive gator being relocated along with a picture that has been redistributed by Matt Devitt of Wink News who is always on the ball with SW Florida animal sightings. He’s kind of our Rex Chapman of viral videos in Southwest Florida, so to speak. Here’s video of the alligator being captured and relocated:
This photo redistributed by Matt Devitt really shows how massive this 600-pound alligator is. Look at how thick the gator’s legs are compared to the arms/legs of the officers:
WOW! Massive 12 foot, 600 pound gator was just captured (and relocated) recently away from Christmas shoppers at the Coconut Point Mall in Estero, Florida. That’s a big boy! Credit: @SheriffLeeFL 🐊👀 @WINKNews #Florida #Gator pic.twitter.com/X67RnQ7WR5
— Matt Devitt (@MattDevittWX) December 22, 2023
In Florida, we have something called the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program which is designed to protect both alligators and humans.
The criteria for an alligator to be considered a ‘nuisance’ is pretty straight-forward, it must be at least 4-feet in length *and* “believed to pose a threat to people.” Meaning, that no juvenile alligator under 4ft can be relocated. And any alligator longer than 4ft must present some reasonable or credible threat to people.
In this instance, a 12ft alligator weighing over 600 pounds making its home at a mall in Estero, Florida almost certainly qualifies. Not because it attacked anyone but it’s mere existence is enough to present a threat and it’s safer for all parties to relocate the alligator to a nearby nature preserve.
Just being in close proximity of a parking lot and Christmas shoppers is enough to present a threat not just to people but to the alligator. Nobody wants to a majestic alligator like that get hit by a car. To learn more about Florida’s Nuisance Alligator Program visit the MyFWC website.