by Stefany Valderrama February 22nd 2023, 2:08 AM PST
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CBS12 News reporter Stefany Valderrama spoke with gator trapper, Neil Sanders, who is contracted by the state to strictly remove gators that may be a nuisance or a threat. (CREDIT: Neil Sanders)
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — In light of a Fort Pierce woman losing her life in an alligator attack, CBS12 News wanted to find out what you should do if there’s an alligator living near your home or business.
CBS12 News reporter Stefany Valderrama spoke with gator trapper Neil Sanders, who is contracted by the state to strictly remove gators that may be a nuisance or a threat.
Sanders has been working as a contractor for Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for just over 4 years. He tells CBS12 News he caught roughly 130 gators last year and released them into other areas of the state that are better suited for the large reptiles.
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See also: Authorities identify 85-year-old woman killed in alligator attack in Fort Pierce
According to Sanders, any homeowner or business owner in Florida can report a gator on or near their property to the state’s nuisance hotline. It’s a free service and you just have to call 1-866-FWC-GATOR (1-866-392-4286).
After you call, FWC will call in their gator trappers.
Sanders tells CBS12 News there are less than half a dozen trappers in Palm Beach County, including himself.
The trappers will come out to your property and assess the situation after they obtain the right permits from the state, but even they have limitations.
“For example, if you live in the equestrian side [near Wellington], and you have a big canal in your backyard, we are only allowed to go 100 feet from your property line,” Sanders explained. “If that alligator is 200 feet, or even 110 feet away, we have to put our hands up and say sorry he’s not a threat to you right now.”
Sanders tells CBS12 News the permits are good for 45 days, so if the gator moves closer to your property, the trappers will return and will keep coming back until they can safely trap and remove the gator.
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