WILD VIDEO: Florida man uses bare hands and feet to remove 8-foot gator from busy road 🐊

Welp, that’s a Florida man for ya!

JACKSONVILLE, Florida – No shoes, no equipment... No problem for this one Florida man!

According to our sister station News4Jax, the “Blue Collar Brawler” Mike Dragich is a licensed Florida alligator trapper, MMA artist, veteran, and nonprofit leader in Florida.

As seen in the video, Dragich managed to trap and remove an 8-foot alligator that was recently wandering the streets in Jacksonville.

SEE ALSO: ‘Never seen one that large’: Massive alligator turns heads in Fulshear

Dragich told News4Jax that he was at a hockey game with his family when he heard the nuisance gator call from the sheriff’s office seeking a trapper.

He jumped in the car and when he arrived near a shopping plaza, he saw the large beast.

He didn’t have his equipment with him so he caught the gator in True Florida man style — with his bare hands!

AND his bare feet...

SEE ALSO: ‘Look how big it is!’ Girl Scout troop swims away from charging alligator while on camping trip at Huntsville State Park

“I was at a hockey game (in) downtown Jacksonville with my family!” Dragich told News4Jax. “Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office called the emergency alligator situation to FWC and I was dispatched. It was only five minutes from the game, so I literally left the game, caught the alligator, and then went back to the game!”

April is the start of mating season for alligators everywhere, including right here in the Houston area.

REMINDER: Do not try this on your own!

SEE ALSO: Marsh madness: Texas alligators stir in mating season frenzy

If you see an aggressive or nuisance alligator, please contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement communications center in Austin at (512) 389-4848.

Dragich has gained notoriety for past gator removals, including one he wrestled from a school campus.

He’s amassed tens of thousands of followers for his gator wrestling skills and his daringness.

He’s used the fame to draw attention to his nonprofit, Project Savior Outdoors, which provides retreats for military veterans to prevent suicide.

SEE ALSO: ‘This alligator is pretty comfortable’: Alligator roaming Sugar Land neighborhood


About the Authors

Moriah Ballard joined the KPRC 2 digital team in the fall of 2021. Prior to becoming a digital content producer in Southeast Texas and a Houstonian, Moriah was an award-winning radio host in her hometown of Lorain, Ohio, and previously worked as a producer/content creator in Cleveland. Her faith, family, and community are her top passions.

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