In Sarasota County, Florida, a routine day took an exciting turn as deputies were called to manage a rather unusual situation involving a massive 14-foot alligator. This unexpected visitor had made its way into a residential neighborhood, prompting a swift response from local authorities.

Footage released by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office captures the coordinated efforts of seven deputies alongside a professional trapper. Together, they successfully maneuvered the hefty reptile into the back of a truck, ensuring the safety of both the alligator and the neighborhood residents.

Updated: Dec 3, 2025 / 01:33 PM EST

SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Deputies in Sarasota County, Florida, had their hands full removing a massive 14-foot alligator from a residential area.

Video provided by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office showed seven deputies and one trapper teaming up to hoist the large reptile into the back of a truck.

“I need someone on that leg right there,” one deputy yelled as they all surrounded the gator and worked in unison to lift it off the ground.

Officials said the reptile weighed an estimated 600 pounds and was around 14 feet in length.

According to the Florida Wildlife Commission, female alligators rarely grow longer than 10 feet in length, though males can be much larger. (The current record in Florida is a 14-foot, 3.5-inch male found in Brevard County, the FWC’s website says.)

A photo showed the gator in Sarasota County resting at the doorstep of someone’s home shortly before it was removed from the area.

Deputies said the gator was released to an alligator farm.

“This massive guest had plans to stay for the holidays, but we had other ideas,” the sheriff’s office said.