A Florida couple had a massive alligator removed from their backyard after the animal repeatedly followed them around their Lake Apopka property—just weeks before a 71-year-old fisherman was fatally attacked by an alligator nearby.
Randy Forbes and his wife are accustomed to seeing alligators around their home in Oakland. However, their routine changed when an 11-foot reptile began tracking their movements as they worked on the lawn and deck.
“That particular alligator had been hanging around for probably six months or longer,” Forbes told the Daily Mail. “He would often sun himself in our backyard, which we were fine with. We would wait until he left before doing any yard work.”
But the animal’s behavior became more concerning. “Lately though, he would watch us mowing, then decide to follow us in the water up and down the yard,” Forbes said.
The situation reached a breaking point last month while Forbes was pressure-washing his dock. The alligator continued moving after the couple as they worked, following them from one end of the dock to the other.
“That really got me thinking about our neighbors’ small kids, and how this gator has lost all fear of humans—more than likely because some not-so-intelligent people had been feeding him,” he said.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission removed two alligators from the lake near Forbes’ home. The first measured 8 feet 10 inches, while the second—the animal officials believed was causing the problems—measured 11 feet 1 inch, Forbes told WESH 2.
Wildlife workers restrained both reptiles before removing them. Video recorded by Forbes showed the larger alligator with ties around its snout and limbs as workers used ropes to pull its body across the ground.
Randy Forbes and his wife said an 11-foot alligator repeatedly followed them around their Lake Apopka property last month
The 11-foot reptile was restrained and removed, along with an alligator measuring nearly 9 feet
“That particular alligator had been hanging around for probably six months or longer,” Forbes told the Daily Mail
The two alligators were relocated approximately 40 miles away to Gatorland, an Orlando theme park, according to the outlet.
“Since then we have not had any more issues,” Forbes told the Daily Mail.
Despite the frightening encounter, Forbes said the couple still appreciates the wildlife around their home. “We love watching the wildlife here on Lake Apopka. On any given summer day, we can have up to six gators sunning themselves in our backyard,” he said.
The incident has also made Forbes more vigilant, particularly when he is mowing the grass along the edge of the property. He said he cuts the lawn all the way to the waterline and now takes extra care to monitor his surroundings.
“It is Mother Nature,” Forbes told the outlet. “You have to be aware of your surroundings, pay attention, and understand that any body of water in Florida could potentially contain an alligator capable of doing serious damage.”
Forbes spoke about the encounter after 71-year-old fisherman Steve Hamilton was killed earlier this month at the shoreline of Dr. Bradford Memorial Park, a small pond connected to Lake Apopka. A large alligator reportedly dragged him into the water.
Hamilton had been holding up a fish for a photograph when the animal attacked, according to witness Beatrice Soto.
“He caught a bass. He held it up for whoever it was to take a picture of him, and the gator came up, grabbed him by the leg and pulled him in,” Soto told WFTV9.
Forbes said the problems stopped after the alligator was removed. “We love watching the wildlife here on Lake Apopka,” he told the Daily Mail
On any given day, Forbes could see several gators sunbathing in his yard
Forbes’ revelation comes after 71-year-old fisherman, Steve Hamilton, was killed on the shoreline of Dr Bradford Memorial Park, a small pond connected to Lake Apopka earlier this month
The alligator pounced on him and dragged him into the water while the elderly man posed for a photo. The alligator was trapped and killed
Hamilton, who was a seasoned fisherman from Winter Garden and a veteran musician on the Orlando circuit, died from his injuries at the scene.
A fire emergency rescue team responded to a 911 call around 5pm and found over a dozen alligators at the scene. First responders reported it was difficult to remove Hamilton’s body from the water as they tried to avoid the group of dangerous animals.
The 12ft gator was trapped and killed, authorities said.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Forbes for comment.