A woman residing in the city ofVenice, in Florida CountySarasota, had the scare of his life when he found a huge alligator in the kitchen of his house.
Mary Hollenback, vecina de Grand Palm Community, told the local press that he was watching television when he heard a noise at the door, but says that at first he didn't give it any importance.
"I thought it was a neighbor trying to get into the wrong house. All the houses in my neighborhood look alike and it's not unusual for someone to go to the wrong house."Hollenback toldFOX 35.
However,When she walked to the front door she was greeted by an imposing seven-foot-long alligator.
Apparently, everything would indicate that the alligator made its way through the door because it was strong enough to force the lock.
“It's just a magnet, but he was pushing this and it finally broke the magnetic connection and went through the door.”, he explained.
Seeing it, he says he got up from the couch, panicked and thought, “Oh my God, I have an alligator in my house!” and “My God, how am I going to get rid of it?”
He finally opted to call 911 to have Sarasota County sheriff's deputies and officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission take care of the reptile.
When leaving the hallway towards the kitchen, the huge animal was trapped in that very narrow area of the house, without being able to turn around and continue on its way.
Eventually, two Sarasota County Sheriff's Office deputies and an FWC officer drove to Hollenback's home.However, when they saw how big the alligator was, they called for backup.
In total, five officials were needed to remove the alligator from the house.
In conversation withFOX 13, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed that the animal was transferred to an alligator farm, as required by the protocol for that protected species.
Apparently the reptile did not have to travel too far, since the neighbor who had the uncomfortable experience believes that the alligator came from a pond right in front of her house.
“He had to cross two patios, cross the street and enter my house, but no one saw him, and it is very surprising,” he explained.
Hollenback says she's not worried about future visitors, and admits with resignation that "only in Florida are you going to have an alligator at home."
In similar cases, the FWC recommends staying at a safe distance and contacting the telephone number 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286) directly since that is a line that will send a professional in the conservation area to remove the alligator.
The State Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP) proactively addresses threats from these reptiles in residential areas, while conserving them in places where they can spread naturally.
Sightings like this will become more common in the coming months, especially in Florida, home to approximately 1.3 million alligators.
Alligator mating season begins in April and lasts until June.During this time the males become more aggressive and some expel the weaker ones from their territory.
During this time alligators can move hundreds of acres of land, making them more likely to appear in residential swimming pools, golf courses or gardens.
Deaths or serious injuries caused by alligators are rare in the state. However, the population is warned to keep a safe distance from the reptiles, not to give them food and to swim only in designated areas during daylight hours.
Additionally, it advises residents to keep their pets on a leash and away from the water's edge, because the animals may appear to be prey to alligators.
A recent viral video recorded by an American golfer showed the walk of a huge alligator about ten feet long on the grass of a golf course in southwest Florida.
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