In recent years, there have been several instances of people going toe-to-toe with alligators, risking their lives to protect themselves, their families, or their communities. Here are some of the most notable encounters.
Tampa Police Officer Subdues Roaming Alligator
In 2023, police in Tampa, Florida, were called to handle a feisty alligator that was roaming the streets. The officer on the scene demonstrated his knowledge and skill in dealing with such a situation.
He looped a rope around the alligator's mouth, dragged it out into the street, and set it up for takedown.
The officer jumped on the alligator's back and held its mouth closed. Alligators have one of the strongest down bites in the animal kingdom, but the muscles to open their mouths are relatively weak.
Once the officer pinched its mouth shut, the alligator was powerless. Other officers came in with duct tape to seal the alligator's mouth, and they waited for wildlife officials to come and haul it away.
A Father's Trash Can Defense
In 2021, a father faced off with an angry alligator, and his only defense was a trash can. The gator hissed as it was cornered by the fearless human.
The gator thrashed around, but eventually, the dad managed to get the gator into the trash can and secure the lid. He then transported the gator about 400 yards away and carefully released it.
Birthday Party Turned Rescue Mission
Also in 2021, a Utah family was enjoying a birthday party at an entertainment zoo when an alligator attacked the trainer. The beast bit down on the trainer's hand, and she jumped into the glass enclosure to gain leverage.
However, the alligator whipped the trainer underwater and got her in a death roll.
A brave dad, Donnie Wiseman, leaped in to help. He got on top of the alligator and held it down. The trainer safely broke free, and Wiseman remained in the enclosure to continue the battle with the alligator.
The trainer returned to help Wiseman, who finally found a way to escape. Wiseman was later dubbed "Crocodile Donny" after the famous movie character Crocodile Dundee.
Fitness Enthusiast Faces Off with Alligator
In 2022, Markwell T. White was preparing for a workout when an alligator interrupted him. White, who had lost 130 pounds in the last year, decided to take matters into his own hands.
He managed to psych himself out by talking to the alligator, telling it that he was not trying to hurt it, but just trying to move it out of the park. Once he grabbed the alligator with his left hand, he didn't stop until he got it out of the park.
MMA Fighter Subdues Alligator at Elementary School
In 2023, an alligator was on the move at an elementary school in Florida. The school called in MMA fighter Mike Dragich for help. Dragich took down the 10-foot reptile with his bare hands while children cheered him on.
He tried several times to get a pitch pull around the alligator's neck, then grabbed it by the tail. The alligator was finally pinned to the ground.
Massive Gator Stops Traffic in the Florida Keys
In June of 2023, a massive alligator trekking up a Florida Keys Highway brought vacationers and residents to a standstill. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission contacted Pesky Critters Wildlife Control to remove it.
Sheriff's deputies secured the area so choppers could remove the alligator, but it proved to be a difficult task. The alligator was
10 feet long, and even for these experienced trappers, it took more than an hour to subdue. The alligator's snout was taped, and the reptile was finally placed on the back of a truck.
These stories serve as a reminder of the power and unpredictability of wildlife. They also highlight the bravery and quick thinking of individuals who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances.
Whether it's a police officer, a father, a fitness enthusiast, an MMA fighter, or a professional wildlife trapper, these individuals demonstrated remarkable courage and resourcefulness in the face of danger.