HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Using a broom, a Florida deputy wrangled an alligator and released it back into a pond, and it was all caught on camera.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Wheaton, Deputy Noland, and Deputy Morrey were called to deal with a 4-foot alligator that had wandered away from a pond and was found sleeping under a car in a Tampa neighborhood.
Wheaton, who is no stranger to alligators, having just relocated a 10-foot one in April, took charge and used the broom to guide the reptile in the right direction. The gator latched onto the broom and went for a joyride back to the pond.
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Deputies are using the encounter to remind residents it’s still alligator mating season.
They advised residents to keep a safe distance, keep their pets on a leash, and swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight.
If you see an alligator, don’t feed or touch it, and call the sheriff’s office non-emergency number at 813-247-8200 or call the FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4296.