ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An Orange County family woke up to a surprise in their backyard Memorial Day morning: An 11-foot alligator was stuck in the pond behind their home.
We’re at a home in Orlando this morning, where a gator is trapped in a family’s backyard. @WFTV pic.twitter.com/9aJVdB0wxO
— Lauren Seabrook (@LSeabrookWFTV) May 28, 2018
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The home is located on Lake Richmond Drive in the Richmond Estates area of Orlando, not far from South John Young Parkway.
(Photos submitted by the Ferguson family)
The Ferguson family told Channel 9’s Lauren Seabrook they have seen about seven gators in the pond over the past couple of years.
Read: Can you outrun an alligator, and other myths explained
The 11’3” gator has been removed. This family has had 6-7 gators in the yard over the last few years. They think it’s the biggest one in the pond. They say it’s been eating the ducks along the edge of the yard. @WFTV pic.twitter.com/yfOvrkcrFY
— Lauren Seabrook (@LSeabrookWFTV) May 28, 2018
Homeowner Annie Ferguson told Channel 9 she recently saw the gator eating ducks off the bank, so licensed trappers set up a hook and bait. This morning, the gator came back and was quickly trapped.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission came to the pond to keep people back. Trappers then moved in, wrestled with the gator, and finally exterminated it.
The gator rolled several times before the trappers got it into a good position to put it down. @WFTV pic.twitter.com/bs3KKTLBd5
— Lauren Seabrook (@LSeabrookWFTV) May 28, 2018
Location of gator found in Orange County:
Cox Media Group