Florida Man in Socks and Sandals Scoops Alligator with Recycling Cart

Quick Take

• Capturing a 5-foot alligator with a recycling cart sounds reckless, yet the technique this Florida man uses is surprisingly methodical.
• Releasing the alligator turns out to be just as nerve-wracking as trapping it is.
• With 1.3 million alligators in Florida, it's important to know how to appropriately interact with them. The bottom line: Give them space, just as this Florida man does.

A Florida man is receiving praise in the comments section after a video of him trapping a 5-foot alligator in his 64-gallon recycling cart was posted to the WESH 2 News official YouTube channel.

“Put this brave man in charge of his city’s animal control department now!” one commenter writes.

American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) and the state of Florida go hand-in-hand. The Sunshine State is home to an estimated 1.3 million alligators. As such, encounters between the state’s official reptile and its citizens happen. Alligators, though, are naturally wary of humans, and they usually flee before anyone realizes they were even there.

That day, though, everyone in the neighborhood knew about the problem on this man’s lawn.

The three-minute video begins with the man, wearing a black durag, white t-shirt, black gym shorts, white crew socks, and black Adidas slides, approaching the alligator with a recycling cart on its side. The alligator is lying in the garden mulch of the flower bed in this man’s front yard.

The recycling cart’s opening—a dark abyss and surely a threatening sight for the alligator—moves toward it. A dance begins. The Florida man pushes it forward a step or two; the alligator, mouth agape, responds, walking backward a step or two. Forward, back, forward, back.

The man knows his chance to capture the alligator is close.

Finally, the man, hoping to scoop the alligator up, quickly lunges the cart toward the alligator, who attempts to fight off its oversized opponent,. Suddenly, the alligator feels a threat from behind. It’s the lid of the recycling cart. The alligator juts forward, trying to evade the rear attack. In doing so, it moves far enough into the cart that the man is able to pull it upright, trapping the alligator inside the recycling cart.

The gathered crowd erupts in cheers and applause.

The job is not yet done. Across the street is a pond or lake surrounded by plenty of bushes, brush, and grass. This is the place where the man will release the alligator. He rolls the cart as close to the water’s edge as possible. He lifts the blue lid, pushes over the cart, and runs up the hill away from his foe.

The alligator emerges slowly, still stunned by recent events. It gathers its bearings slowly. The man, somewhat impatient, reaches for the cart to pull it away. As he does, the alligator takes no further chances and sprints for cover under the dense shrubbery surrounding the pond.

Safety Tips

The Florida Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds people that alligators seldom bite people. Nevertheless, it does happen. So, use caution when in areas where they are known to be found.

• Closely supervise children when they are playing in or around water.
• Never swim outside of posted swimming areas.
• Swim only during daylight hours. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn.
• Do not allow pets to swim, exercise, or drink in or near waters that may contain alligators or in
  designated swimming areas with humans.
• Never feed or entice alligators; it is dangerous and illegal. When fed, alligators overcome their natural wariness and associate people with food.
• Observe and photograph alligators only from a safe distance.
• Leave alligators alone. State law prohibits killing, harassing, or possessing alligators except under permit.

If you do encounter an alligator that you believe may pose a threat to people, pets, or property and is 4 feet or larger, call FWC’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 1‐866‐FWC‐GATOR (392‐4286).