A late night routine turned into a wild Florida spectacle when a nearly eight foot alligator decided to enjoy a private swim in a Naples backyard pool. What followed was a tense and unforgettable rescue that the homeowners say they will be talking about for years.
A Quiet Night Turns Into a Shock
Rob Emhoff was simply letting the family puppy outside around 1 a.m. on December 30 when a sudden splash shattered the quiet night. Startled, the family grabbed a light and moved toward the pool.
“After investigating, we saw the massive shadow of the 8-foot alligator!” Emhoff told Storyful.
That discovery sent them straight to the phone. Emhoff said they called police, who then contacted wildlife control. Before long, a Florida state alligator trapper arrived to deal with the unexpected swimmer.
The Trapper Steps In
Video captured by Emhoff shows the tense moments as the trapper circled the pool, carefully trying to get control of the massive reptile. As the gator shifted through the water, someone in the background asked, “Poor guy, you ready to get evicted buddy?”
The trapper managed to secure a snare around the animal and guided it to the pool steps, then worked quickly to tape its jaws shut.
“That’s why I wanted to tape him first,” the trapper said after the alligator began thrashing and rolling, attempting to shake free.
A Rolling Fight to the Driveway
With the mouth secured, the trapper continued pulling the alligator toward his truck. The reptile kept rolling, trying to escape the snare as it was dragged across the pool deck. The struggle continued until they reached the driveway.
Once there, they finally got a clear measurement. The alligator stretched an impressive 7 feet, 11 inches long.
Another Surprise in the Trailer
Just when the excitement seemed over, Emhoff spotted more movement inside the trapper’s trailer. A smaller alligator was attempting a quiet escape.
“Little guy’s on the move,” Emhoff said, alerting the trapper.
The trapper rushed back, secured the runaway, and tossed another small alligator inside before closing the tailgate for good.
Watching the scene unfold, Emhoff could hardly believe what he had witnessed. “I would never believe this if someone told me,” he said.
