A massive alligator, measuring approximately 10.5 feet in length, was apprehended on Saturday as it roamed the shores of Riviera Beach in Palm Beach County, Florida, according to local police reports.
The Riviera Beach Police Department (RBPD) announced via Facebook that at around 8:00 a.m., the reptile was spotted moving from the edge of Riviera Beach towards a pumping station in Palm Beach Shores. Officers closely followed the alligator for several hours, ensuring it posed no immediate threat to public safety.
By 10:30 a.m., personnel from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), alongside private trappers, successfully captured the giant reptile. The RBPD expressed their gratitude to all those who contributed to the safe capture, highlighting the cooperation of several key entities.
Among those acknowledged were the FWC, the contracted trappers, and the Palm Beach Shores Fire Department, all of whom played a crucial role in the operation. The support from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office (PBSO) and the local police team was also recognized.
Gator Sightings: A Common Occurrence in Florida
Florida is notorious for its frequent alligator sightings in various settings. Recently, an 84-year-old woman from Fort Myers Beach and her dog survived an alligator attack during their usual walk near their home in Julia Mobile Home Park. Del Boppel recounted to NBC-2 that she got closer than usual to a nearby pond when she noticed eyes staring at her from the water, instantly realizing the danger.
In another incident last August, Border Patrol agents discovered an alligator in the murky waters of the Rio Grande River, confirming previous reports of large reptiles inhabiting this waterway, which forms part of the US-Mexico border. The Fort Brown Station's river unit in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) shared a video of this sighting, recorded two weeks prior, on Friday.