Florida

See what happened during 6 unexpected alligator encounters in Florida and elsewhere

Stories by Miami Herald journalists, with AI summarization

We continue to witness unexpected and unusual alligator encounters. In some instances, confusion abounds, such as in Arizona, where a foam alligator installation led locals to fear a real threat.

In Florida, alligators seem more ubiquitous and bold, appearing in drive-thrus and front yards, and disrupting daily commutes.

Law enforcement and wildlife agencies often step in to manage these encounters, ensuring both public safety and the humane treatment of the reptiles.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Foam alligators places in a Mesa park lake have prompted 911 calls form alarmed visitors who mistook them for the real thing, Arizona officials say.

NO. 1: ALLIGATOR IN POND PROMPTS 911 CALLS, ARIZONA CITY SAYS. IT’S NOT WHAT IT SEEMS

“It actually bit my boyfriend’s fishing line, and we had to cut it,” reported one caller. | Published February 14, 2024 | Read Full Story by Don Sweeney

Video recorded in the Bonita National Golf & Country Club in Bonita Springs shows a very large alligator took to the road in search of a lake.

NO. 2: WATCH LUMBERING ALLIGATOR BRING BICYCLIST TO TENSE STANDSTILL IN FLORIDA NEIGHBORHOOD

“I don’t care what anyone says. Those are dinosaurs.” | Published April 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mark Price

An alligator was found standing in line at a Starbucks drive-thru in southwest Florida, and somebody called the fire department.

NO. 3: ALLIGATOR QUEUES UP IN STARBUCKS DRIVE-THRU AND GETS PROMPTLY BOOTED, FLORIDA COPS SAY

Dogs get served, why not alligators? | Published May 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mark Price

A case of illegal dumping spiraled into a variety of charges for a Florida motorist, when he paused to shoot at the alligator that was spying on him, according to investigators.

NO. 4: ARMED TRUCK DRIVER ILLEGALLY DUMPED TIRES, FLORIDA COPS SAY. THEN ALLIGATOR APPEARED

Wildlife officers were hiding on the property to catch tire dumpers, according to officials. | Published May 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mark Price

A massive 12-foot alligator was found in a ditch near a main sidewalk and road in a Texas town, officials said. Watch officials remove it.

NO. 5: WATCH MONSTER 12-FOOT ALLIGATOR GET REMOVED FROM TEXAS ROADSIDE DITCH IN A UNIQUE WAY

The gator was found in a ditch near a “heavily traveled sidewalk and road,” Texas officials said. | Published June 4, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kate Linderman

One Lee County deputy had the risky job of holding the alligator’s snout as it was put into a truck, video shows.

NO. 6: ALLIGATOR SHOWS UP AT FLORIDA FAMILY’S DOOR AND WON’T LEAVE. ‘HE’S JUST LOOKING AT ME’

Video shows one deputy got stuck holding the snout. | Published September 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mark Price

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.