MMA fighter, veteran and alligator trapper Mike Dragich is seen in a video posted to his Instagram using a wheelie bin to capture the animal. He says he responded to a woman who noticed the alligator’s tail by her patio while taking her dog outside.
In the video he successfully corners the alligator and scoops it into the trash can before wheeling it off. He says no animals or people were harmed, but does not disclose what he did with the animal.
Dragich is no stranger to internet fame for wrangling reptiles, as he’s consistent in sharing clips of himself capturing misplaced alligators throughout Jacksonville. Last year, he wrangled an 8-footer with his bare hands in a Jacksonville street, and the year before, he trapped a 10-foot alligator outside an elementary school.
Alligator “courtship” typically kicks off in April, before mating season gets into full swing from May to June, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. It’s not uncommon to find alligators in places they don’t belong, looking for mates, during this time.
The FWC says people concerned about an alligator can call their Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-Gator (866-392-4286). A gator is generally considered a nuisance if it is at least 4 feet in length; if it is believed to post a threat to people, pets or property; or if it is found somewhere it should not be, such as a swimming pool, home, garage, etc.
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This article appears in Apr 23-29, 2025.