On April 23rd, reports from a Florida-based media outlet confirmed the daring feat of Mike Delagich, a 34-year-old Floridian who single-handedly subdued an 8-foot-long (approximately 2.4 meters) alligator roaming the streets.
A veteran and licensed alligator trapper, Mike was enjoying a hockey game with his family nearby when he responded to a call for help from the local authorities. Arriving at the scene without any equipment, he managed to capture the alligator using only his bare hands.
Video footage from the scene depicts Mike approaching the alligator from behind, then pinning it down and securing its mouth shut with his hands, rendering its strongest weapon useless. He then appears to use what seems to be duct tape to completely seal the alligator's mouth before lifting it effortlessly and walking away from the scene, much to the amazement of onlookers who cheered and snapped photos.
Florida is notorious for its abundant alligator population, estimated to be around 1.3 million. These creatures are known for their aggressive nature and have been involved in numerous incidents, including attacks on humans and, in some extreme cases, even cannibalism.
Since 1998, annual hunting events have been organized to control the alligator population. Last year, 7,000 hunting permits were issued, allowing hunters to kill two alligators each. One particularly notable catch was a 3.98-meter-long alligator weighing 417 kilograms, believed to be around 90 years old, showcasing the remarkable size and age these creatures can reach.
