Hungry, amorous gators are roaming even more than usual this spring, reports the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office.
The CCSO attributed the movement to water holes drying up and depleting the food supply during the start of mating season.
Some alligators have been killed or injured by being run over by vehicles on roadways.
Article Photos
From left: FWC Officer Bryce Phillippi, CCSO Volunteer Dale Zink, and Agriculture Deputy First Class Justin Treworgy with captured gator in Deep Creek.
CCSO deputies, Florida Wildlife Commission officers and alligator trappers have been called out several times in May to secure alligators located in yards, sidewalks, driveways, roadways and even in swimming pools.
A 7-foot alligator on a driveway in the 26400 block of Copiapo Circle in Deep Creek had to be moved out of the yard by deputies and FWC. The gator was taken by CCSO to a safe location authorized by FWC.
Deputies responded to a home at 3:30 a.m. May 5 in the 3500 block of Pennyroyal Road in the Riverwood subdivision off State Road 776 near El Jobean where a 7-foot alligator was found in the swimming pool after it broke through a screen to get to the water. Underwater lights pool lights illuminated the gator.
Also on May 5, an alligator was on the sidewalk along the fence line between Port Charlotte High School and Murdock Circle Apartments.
