11-foot gator nabbed in Greenville - sunherald.com

11 August 2011

GREENVILLE -- A Mississippi wildlife department sergeant and six others caught an 11-foot-alligator prowling the streets of Greenville.

Master Sgt. Hugh Johnson told The Delta Democrat-Times a Washington County Sheriff’s deputy spotted the alligator while patrolling Wednesday morning.

The alligator was to be released at the Pearl River Wildlife Management area in Madison County.

BUSTER WOLFE/DELTA DEMOCRAT-TIMES An 11-foot, 5-inch alligator was captured early Wednesday in Greenville ‘walking the streets,’ said Master Sgt. Hugh Johnson, a Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks conservation officer. It is estimated that the alligator weighs between 750-800 pounds.

“He’s a reminder that where there is one, there are others. This must be taken very seriously. They can hurt you,” said Johnson, who was bitten on his right thumb earlier this year by one of the reptiles. “These animals are hungry,” said Johnson.

“They will eat anything that gets in their way.”

Johnson advised residents not to feed alligators and to call authorities if they spot one. “I can’t emphasize enough on how important it is to call someone if they spot one of these things,” he said. “They are very dangerous.”