MARION COUNTY, Fla. — A 13-foot alligator was pulled from the Silver Glen Springs recreational area Saturday in the Ocala National Forest.
Channel 9's Myrt Price went back to the springs on Monday and found swimmers unfazed that a reptile was in the swimming area a day before.
Employees at the springs called the sheriff’s office, which then had to call officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to capture and kill the massive gator.
"If there was an alligator it would be cool to see, but at the same time scary,” said swimmer Josh Windover.
Other people told Eyewitness News that they were going to skip swimming.
"It looks nice and it feels pretty good, but I’m not swimming in that,” said Grayson Hendrick.
Watch below: Deputy describes capturing 13-foot gator
Trappers told Eyewitness News that spring water is much warmer than other lake water this time of year, and that the gator captured Saturday had been spotted in the water for a few weeks.
The trappers said it’s close to mating season and there are lots of fishin the springs, so it’s a prime location.
Trappers told Eyewitness News they killed two other alligators last summer.
Trappers said they pull gators out of Silver Glen Springs a couple of times a year.
Click here to learn more about the statewide alligator nuisance program.
CRIKEY!! LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT GATOR!! MCSO Patrol Deputy David Christmas responded to a call of a 13-foot alligator...
Posted by Marion County Sheriff's Office on Saturday, March 4, 2017
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