Surprise! Orange Co. family finds gator in backyard

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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.

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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

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.

Location of gator found in Orange County: