ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- 92-year-old John Nelson has been living in his home since 1948 and has seen alot. But he has never seen an alligator that big on his property. "Sooner or later he is going to get into trouble and get something he shouldn't," said Nelson.
He's been watching it swim in Doctors Lake for weeks, but called police when it got just a few feet away from his front door. "He got too close to dogs and children, and we don't want to take any chances," he said.
"I've never seen one this big in Orange Park," said Chief James Boivin. The Orange Park Police Chief watched as two trappers captured the nuisance gator. "He's endangering the kids, animals and people here," said Boivin.
"They are a lot of danger, and they can take an arm quick," said trapper, Patrick Williams.
With a couple of spears and some rope, the trappers were able to get the 11-and-a-half foot gator off Nelson's property. "He is as wide as a barrel. If you know how big a barrel is, that's how wide his stomach is," said Nelson.
And though Nelson will never know what the gator ate to get that big, he can sleep better at night knowing no one here will be on the menu. If you see a nuisance gator in your area, state officials say you should never feed, touch, or try to catch it.
Instead call 1-866-FWC-GATOR. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission will send a licensed trapper to remove it.
