Gator stuck on Estero porch gives homeowner a wild surprise Sunday night

Reporter: Maddie Herron
Published: Updated:
Gator stuck on Estero porch gives homeowner a wild surprise Sunday night
Imagine glancing out your back door and seeing a gator sliding around on your deck. That's exactly what happened to an Estero homeowner who found an unexpected visitor on their property.
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    Imagine glancing out your back door and seeing a gator sliding around on your deck. That’s exactly what happened to an Estero homeowner who found an unexpected visitor on their property.

    Leo Chico discovered a three-legged gator on his back porch Sunday night.

    “I peeked out the window, and all I saw was this big tail, like, coming through,” said Chico.

    The seven-foot gator had made its way onto the waterside home’s porch, causing quite a commotion.

    “It was kind of scary. The girls are freaking out, the dogs are barking. Everyone’s freaking out,” said Chico.

    Chico explained the gator wiggled under a gate and crawled across the porch, knocking over items along the way.

    “My heart is just beating, you know, like the dad in me wants to get out of here,” said Chico.

    Scratches from the gator’s attempted escape were etched into the porch. Chico had to call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for assistance.

    “He didn’t even knock on the door. He just came right to work,” said Chico, describing the FWC trapper’s quick response.

    The trapper managed to hook the gator, leading to a dramatic scene as the gator performed a barrel roll.

    “It was crazy,” said Chico.

    The FWC trapper asked Chico to help load the gator into his truck, and the gator is now headed to a breeding farm.

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