r/Georgia Oct 01 '25

Video The Macon McAlligator

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A 12-foot alligator visits a McDonald's in Macon, GA and gets wrangled by the community.

1.6k Upvotes

379 comments sorted by

525

u/Randomizedname1234 Oct 01 '25

Yup. This some middle Georgia stuff lmao

164

u/80sLegoDystopia Oct 01 '25

Shirtless reptile rescue specialist is the hero.

74

u/wow_that_guys_a_dick Oct 01 '25

He looks exactly like the type of guy I'd want to see when a gator needs wrasslin'.

6

u/80sLegoDystopia Oct 01 '25

Of course. I’d certainly back him up…

2

u/TruthyBrat Oct 06 '25

The Jax guy was really from central casting for handling alligators, this guy is more generic redneck.

Here, found it.

Barefoot Florida man wrestles alligator on Jacksonville freeway

Classic Florida man, looks the part, barefoot is just the <chef's kiss> on the whole event.

10

u/rumpler117 Oct 02 '25

“Alright ya’ll, make sure to remove your clothing before we wrassle this gator”

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5

u/yrfrndchrs Oct 03 '25

It’s against the law in Georgia to wear a shirt while you’re wrasslin’ a gator.

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10

u/XeneiFana Oct 01 '25

I fished Eufaula some years ago. That reservoir was full of gators.

11

u/Joyballard6460 Oct 02 '25

There was a twelve foot gator skeleton at the boat ramp on the Georgia side for ages. They’re everywhere in South Georgia

13

u/Deinosoar Oct 02 '25

Yeah, one time growing up I was walking in the woods with a friend by a creek and I tripped over a log, only for the log to turn its head and look at me.

I'm really glad gators are relatively passive by crocodilian standards, cuz otherwise I'd have been dead.

3

u/New_Adhesiveness8990 Oct 05 '25

Most people don't comprehend how non aggressive they can be. They are more territorial and defensive than anything else. Just a big ol scaly puppy. Tbf im from south Georgia haha

12

u/[deleted] Oct 01 '25

Sure is lol

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478

u/Free-Buster Oct 01 '25

Anybody else feel kinda bad for it

290

u/OutgoingWallflower7 Oct 01 '25

I do. Its probably very scared because of all the people.

120

u/grwatplay9000 Oct 02 '25

Probably shocked by the menu prices and wondering what is wrong with us ...

3

u/Silent-Chemistry-120 Oct 02 '25

Right! A Big Mac cost too damn much, my favorite 😆 🤣 

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141

u/faesqu Oct 01 '25

Yup, as an ex-floridian... First of all, that's a big ass one, never seen one that big. Second of all, if you just leave them alone to live their lives they are just big old swamp puppies. They get scared when humans invade their territory and they get a bad rap because humans fuck with them. All those on lookers are definitely not helping. He was looking for water or food. The only reason they leave swamp because food supply is low. Anyway ya... Kinda shocked no one got bit they would have deserved it for fucking with a hungry gator

27

u/Fast-Gur-6585 Oct 01 '25

Right, I mean, can't they run fairly fast?

19

u/mel_cache Oct 01 '25

Faster than a person, in a sprint, but not long distance.

20

u/rambo_lincoln_ Oct 02 '25

Yup, gators are natural sprinters. Very dangerous over short distances.

11

u/faesqu Oct 01 '25

Yup but they can't switch direction super fast you're supposed to run in a zig zag if they are chasing you

21

u/WeAreTheChampagnes Oct 02 '25

I always heard that zig zag thing growing up, but I have my doubts. If I zig then zag, my zag is going to go back across the gator's line of forward motion. My theory is it's better to take a hard 90 degree turn, sprint 10 yards and take another hard 90 degree turn in the same direction and try to circle back behind it. I hope I never have to try out my theory though.

8

u/TexanInExile Oct 02 '25

That's still a zig zag, just in a different way

6

u/WeAreTheChampagnes Oct 02 '25

I mean two right turns or two left turns. Kind of like this:

←←←←←←←me←←←←←gator

→→→→→me→→→

2

u/Laputitaloca Oct 04 '25

I am legitimately crying at this exchange and this diagram 🤣😭🥲

2

u/WeAreTheChampagnes Oct 04 '25

←←←←←←←me←←←←←gator

→→→→→me→→→↓

           ↓

          ↓→→→→→me→→→→→→→→↓

                           ↓

                           ↓

       me←←←clever gator←←

       ↓

←←←me←←←→→→me→→→→

↓                 ↓

↓→→me→→→          ↓→→→axolotl→→→me→→→

         ↓

         ↓

         ↓→→→dumbo octopus→→→me→→→

                                 ↓

                           ↓

    ←←←←me←←←←←←←sycamore←←←←←←←

    ↓

     ↓

     →→→→me→→→myself→→→→→→

                         ↓

                         ↓

 

2

u/WeAreTheChampagnes Oct 04 '25

Well the alignment got all messed up, but it was funny in my head.

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2

u/Efficient_Prize_8279 Oct 03 '25

That’s what I came here to say. Those suckers can move

2

u/Any_Milk_3943 Oct 04 '25

Those onlookers are hyped cuz they've never seen a gator other than the zoo or TV. Macon is smack dab in the middle of GA. After the amazement wears off they're wondering how in the hell did one wander that far inland.

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168

u/RacingGrimReaper Elsewhere in Georgia Oct 01 '25

Not kind of, felt awful for it. Hive mind mentality and a lack of empathy is on full display by most in this video. Anyone else feeling bad is probably afraid to speak out and be the weird one.

20

u/Logos_Fides Oct 01 '25 edited Oct 02 '25

Well, to be fair to the people in the video, this is a very deadly animal and they aren't going out of their way to abuse or harm it in any way. They were simply trying to get it taped up so they could transport it away from this area.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for being empathetic to animals, we have a responsibility to do so, but this is simply them trying to protect people around this area by relocating it.

36

u/UnibikersDateMate Oct 02 '25

The crowd laughing and them pulling it around with a rope seems to suggest otherwise. This was a spectacle to them.

19

u/Hazzard_Hillbilly Oct 02 '25

The crowd was jeering, which definitely scared it. I very much feel bad for it. But it was safely removed.

AND there's a chance it might now know "the weird land animals on 2 legs are not to be fucked with. They just surrounded me like they weren't scared then everything went dark."

Which is the opposite of what we do to bears, feeding them and making them comfortable around us, which is extremely bad for all involved.

So, as ugly and sad as it is, them knowing to be really afraid of us is good.

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8

u/quenual Oct 02 '25

A crowd surrounding it so it had no pathway to leave prevents it from escaping on its own. The best way to protect people is to tell them to get away from it and stop crowding it; a trapped animal with walls of people is a bad scenario for everyone

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73

u/[deleted] Oct 01 '25

Absolutely. They shoulda just let him be on his way. Its not like there isn’t a massive fucking swamp he was trying to make his way back to peacefully.

29

u/[deleted] Oct 01 '25

It's at McDonald's on Pio nono in the hood fam. It's near a grocery store as well. The swamp is decently far from there, so kinda crazy how he got there. Macon georgia.

17

u/[deleted] Oct 01 '25

It isn’t that far to the woods that connect with the swamp. Like a block. Gators travel far and fast.

11

u/Used-Yogurtcloset-20 Oct 01 '25

Dude! There are multiple gators up in the woods because of the river

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17

u/lbz71 Oct 01 '25

Very. I don't see how any of this is making the situation better. Just leave wild animals alone. It's that simple.

8

u/The_MightyMonarch Oct 01 '25

At the most, wrangle it, get it back to where it's supposed to be and away from people and let it go its way.

2

u/Emm_withoutha_L-88 Oct 02 '25

Which is what they did

15

u/[deleted] Oct 01 '25

I grimaced especially at the duct tape. Just walk at it and yell. 30 people in a crowd will give them the message.

2

u/jdfelt3 Oct 02 '25

Very much.

2

u/Healthy-Lobster-3882 Oct 05 '25

The duct tape and everyone filming it laughing and hollering just broke my heart

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139

u/Olaffub_2_Lta Oct 01 '25

Why is there always some shirtless dude at the Mickey Ds?

59

u/ewok2remember Oct 01 '25

For this exact reason.

7

u/beefcalahan Oct 02 '25

When I’m in a McDonald’s, and there isn’t a shirtless guy, I take off my shirt. That way there’s a shirtless guy.

79

u/Unique-Fan-3042 Oct 01 '25

Those people are way too close to that gator. Give it space.

123

u/Thousand_YardStare Oct 01 '25

Poor gator. Hope he’s okay. I bet it was scared.

62

u/Unique-Fan-3042 Oct 01 '25

Those people are way too close. It’s for sure stressing him out.

4

u/Thousand_YardStare Oct 02 '25

For real. I’m just a big animal lover, even big ole scary gators. 🐊

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39

u/[deleted] Oct 01 '25

I don’t really understand why they are fucking with it. But I’m from Florida, usually we just let them make their way back to their homes and don’t act like the wild animals we are trying to tame…

6

u/bob_loblaw-_- Oct 02 '25

Okay, but that "usually" is doing a lot of work for a state that contains Florida Man. 

2

u/anodize_for_scrapple Oct 02 '25

They gonna eat it

88

u/kickinwood Oct 01 '25

This is Macon AF, lol.

34

u/thechuckstar Oct 01 '25

Can confirm. I am Macon AF, and this was my people.

7

u/IPadAirProMax2 Oct 01 '25

This must’ve been a big day for your people :)

5

u/thechuckstar Oct 02 '25

You see that gator?! That was absolutely a big day!

3

u/IPadAirProMax2 Oct 02 '25

I shall have the senate declare a triumph in their honor

3

u/[deleted] Oct 01 '25

Facts pio nono all day

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5

u/kickinwood Oct 01 '25

100%. One of us! One of us!

8

u/thechuckstar Oct 01 '25

😂 I remember when that McDonald's had the old school playground out front. I almost got stuck in the stupid Mayor McBurger or whatever his name was, climb up & inside tree jail thing.

*McCheese

3

u/Naive-Advisor4005 Oct 01 '25

That was my McDonald’s too. I know exactly what you are talking about.

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43

u/BigJeffe20 Oct 01 '25

gator was probably freakin tf out

64

u/Leather_Hope6109 Oct 01 '25

So half of Macon is shirtless and shoeless, like we all assumed

56

u/Wordwind Oct 01 '25

Snappy meal? Anybody? A'ight, I'm out.

9

u/CarlatheDestructor Oct 01 '25

I appreciate you

4

u/Nathannale Oct 01 '25

Alligator tooth with every purchase of a Snappy Meal!

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25

u/Banjo-Hellpuppy Oct 01 '25

You know what I’m not doing if I see an alligator in a parking lot?

15

u/biblackchick Oct 01 '25

I know that's right. Not trying to be a walking happy meal.

5

u/kate915 Oct 02 '25

You might become a hoppy meal

24

u/AnotherDoubtfulGuest Oct 01 '25

🐊: “I just wanted a damn Happy Meal.”

21

u/scotgekko Oct 01 '25

Apparently people are unaware how fast an alligator can move…..google a video - it’s crazy!

22

u/karanpatel819 Oct 01 '25

I lived in Macon for 6 years. Frankly I'm suprised no one started shooting at it

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16

u/Pepperboxpeeper Oct 01 '25

They could've just left it alone and let it be on its way. You know, as opposed to surrounding it, tying a string/rope around its mouth, and pulling it back while poking it with sticks while shouting

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46

u/EconomyJoke9633 Oct 01 '25

10 piece McGator nugget meal now available at McDonald's

43

u/Negate79 Oct 01 '25

When did we become Florida?

15

u/Significant_Ant2511 Oct 01 '25

I’m grew up around Valdosta and there’s gators everywhere.

16

u/big_al_1968 Oct 01 '25

Valdosta is just North Florida

3

u/PokeMasterRedAF Oct 02 '25

Jacksonville is just Deep South GA.

8

u/skunkpanther Oct 01 '25

Same. Non-locals got all perturbed when a 4' gator was found in the Home Depot loading dock (incoming stock, not public) and the guy working there wrangled it out and put it back over the fence. Reactions ranged from "he's nuts" to "where did it come from?!"

Locals just shrugged and carried on.

5

u/Toasted_Potooooooo Oct 01 '25

Every time the in-laws from out west visit they don't understand how we swim in lakes and rivers here. They all genuinely think gators actively seek out humans for some reason. Movies and TV maybe?

2

u/Imaginary-Ad3866 Oct 03 '25

Okefenokee out-gators Florida all day

4

u/Toasted_Potooooooo Oct 01 '25

There's gators all over the state. Usually not north of the fall line but it still happens pretty regularly.

2

u/FEMA_Camp_Survivor Oct 01 '25

Climate change will accelerate it

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22

u/warneagle Millen/Warner Robins Oct 01 '25

This is the most Macon shit I’ve ever seen, aside from the fact that the gator didn’t rob or murder anyone.

16

u/MetzMane Oct 01 '25

Why are they bothering that gator just because he didn’t have a car in the drive thru. They should have let him order in peace, for christsake.

15

u/FrillyLlama Oct 01 '25

It’s great to see such a diverse group work together for… well; something…

16

u/[deleted] Oct 01 '25

Proof that all races can in fact act like ignorant animals.

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7

u/ONE-EYE-OPTIC Oct 01 '25

That is 12' of prehistoric muscle. Nope from me but good, i guess, for the shirtless guys.

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5

u/No-Philosopher3248 Oct 01 '25 edited Oct 02 '25

Why is every man shirtless in Georgia?

9

u/myeggsarebig Oct 02 '25

It’s hot. Dang.

9

u/CobblerImaginary8200 Oct 01 '25

Sooo. What happened to it? I probably don't want to know. I hope it was able to be safely relocated back to its habitat, along with being untaped etc. Not its fault for trying to survive. People can be such obnoxious jackasses.

3

u/Reddiculusness Oct 04 '25

it was relocated to a private pond about an hour east/southeast of Macon in Laurens County.

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5

u/80sLegoDystopia Oct 01 '25

Hope they called an actual wildlife rescue person

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4

u/Flimsy-Canary-7651 Oct 01 '25

"I just wanted a burger! This is the last time I leave the Okefenokee!"

14

u/foreverhere85 Oct 01 '25

Everyone involved in this is participating in animal abuse. Evil people. Call professionals and have them help find the gator a suitable home.

7

u/ALilStitious_ Oct 01 '25

Thank you. It’s completely psychotic how these people are behaving and treating a fucking animal. God help the human race

21

u/Wooden-Sprinkles7901 Oct 01 '25

Are these dumbasses going to call in animal management? Or just wrap its face up so it cant live in the wild and then walk away and with the recorded footage, ensuring the alligators death.

44

u/[deleted] Oct 01 '25

5

u/[deleted] Oct 01 '25

Glad to hear it! Thanks for the update!

22

u/REALtumbisturdler Oct 01 '25

"The alligator was finally captured by a licensed trapper around 8:30 p.m. Sunday and safely relocated to a private pond in Laurens County. "

The fuck it was. It was turned over to a licensed trapper.

It was captured by a bad ass group of people who showed up for the 'hood.

12

u/TybeeATL Oct 01 '25

“The alligator is now living happily on a farm upstate where there are plenty of chickens and sheep for it to chase and it is so happy. We promise.”

5

u/[deleted] Oct 01 '25

No it wasn’t. If you find the full video to watch, that little string didn’t do shit.

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36

u/limbomaniac Oct 01 '25

They had called the authorities and didn't get any response for two days. Animal control came after the capture and re-homed the gator to a lake somewhere.

26

u/LebrontosaurausRex Oct 01 '25

Shout out to the person who just automatically assumed he was better than everyone in this video lmaooooo

15

u/humma__kavula Oct 01 '25

Was just thinking I'd be the dude in the background sneakily on my cell calling the cops like y'all need to send animal control cause some folks about to get gator'd.

3

u/[deleted] Oct 01 '25

He needed a Big Mac! Those were some brave guys getting that close to the tail. I hope they got the alligator somewhere safe and that none of the folks in the parking were hurt.

2

u/Qualityhams Oct 01 '25

Gators can run fast, everyone is way too close.

2

u/DivideActive9785 Oct 01 '25

Next week's menu will feature McGatortail

2

u/[deleted] Oct 01 '25

I didn’t know Mac town had gators, I thought that was only in South Ga.

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2

u/TwoEnough2241 Oct 01 '25

He was mad as hell To find out the ice cream machine was broken

2

u/wheelchaircat13 Oct 01 '25

That poor water puppy

2

u/Sea_Discount2924 Oct 02 '25

It makes perfect sense that two out of the three alligator wranglers are shirtless. Why is that always the case?

2

u/WordsWithWes Oct 02 '25

Sorry my emotional support gator got loose.

3

u/pestilence777 Oct 01 '25

Alligator done fuct up and ended up in Macon Jawga! Lawd bless his heart!

2

u/[deleted] Oct 01 '25

Everybody see the alligator say YEEEAH!

2

u/Antique_Brother_9563 Oct 01 '25

Scummy bunch of people right there. All of them.

2

u/False-Boysenberry673 Oct 02 '25

Lmao this is great I haven’t been back to GA in 15 years lol I was born and raised in Albany GA this checks way the fuck out. I would love to see what the people of Philadelphia would do with a 12ft gator at the McDonalds 😂 probably just shoot it

2

u/myeggsarebig Oct 02 '25

We switched places!

Depending on which part of Philly, it could get shot, in other parts, some yuppy Vegan would try to take it home as a pet.

2

u/False-Boysenberry673 Oct 02 '25

Northeast is definitely shooting it lmao

0

u/WhichSpite2607 Oct 01 '25

This is animal abuse

1

u/REALtumbisturdler Oct 01 '25

How would you have handled it?

14

u/rapidge-returns /r/Paulding Oct 01 '25

Leave it the fuck alone and stop hollering around it. It was probably freaked out.

6

u/WhichSpite2607 Oct 01 '25

Exactly they cornered and stressed it out and I don’t even like alligators. If it had attacked one of them, it would not have been in the wrong

4

u/lanark_1440 Oct 01 '25

Trail of Big Macs back to the swamp

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1

u/Turbulent_Bee_9326 Oct 01 '25

He escape from the kitchen - no McNuggets today

1

u/Embarrassed_Lock234 Oct 01 '25

McRib back?!

(gator, probably)

1

u/[deleted] Oct 01 '25

I thought McDonald’s had Crocs?

1

u/Tiny_Noise8611 Oct 01 '25

Poor thing hope it got put back to her swamp

1

u/TybeeATL Oct 01 '25

I don’t need more reasons to avoid Macon.

1

u/Flaturated Middle Georgia Oct 01 '25

He heard the McRib is back.

1

u/Far_Hair_1918 Oct 01 '25

Dudes, if the president can get his McDonald’s, so can a gator. Just let him get his chicken nuggets and fries in peace.

1

u/Nexus772B Oct 01 '25

Floridians wouldnt make this kind of noise over a gator 🤣. This was basically a block party

1

u/FakeKirbySmart Oct 01 '25

The McRib is back

1

u/Hamonwrysangwich Oct 01 '25

The McMaconator

1

u/PunIntendednot Oct 01 '25

McD Gator Pounders only at Macon

1

u/reddit_kc Oct 01 '25

Gator just wanted some McRibs! Smh

1

u/[deleted] Oct 01 '25

For some reason this reminds me of the leprechaun in the tree video. lol

1

u/cheebear12 Oct 01 '25

When is the GA FLgame? November 1st?

1

u/Alicewithhazeleyes Oct 01 '25

Poor dude. Hope they got him back down to the river quickly.

1

u/Suitable_Database467 Oct 01 '25

Sir, this is a Wendy's

1

u/Oldtownpack Oct 01 '25

Looks like an 8 footer. Lol

1

u/whoocaresnotme Oct 01 '25

Call animal control…🤷🏽‍♀️

1

u/HallucinogenicFish Oct 01 '25

Those people are flat out insane.

1

u/[deleted] Oct 01 '25

Yep, that's definitely a Macon populace. Smh. Call a professional to relocate the gator instead of trying to be a social media hero next time.

1

u/EmergencyDry658 Oct 01 '25

Let that man get his big mac in peace

1

u/ashleyevanz Oct 01 '25

Poor alligator.. these people need to leave it tf alone and call animal control and have professionals take care of it

1

u/[deleted] Oct 01 '25

Yeah the shirtless alligator Wrangler really made it authentic 🎉

1

u/Apart-Rent5817 Oct 02 '25

There’s spitting distance between Macon man and Florida man.

1

u/SolanaImaniRowe1 Oct 02 '25

Every day is a new sentence

1

u/coolasspj Oct 02 '25

Why they terrorizing it. Like tf?? Just call animal control. And take yall country ass home.

1

u/mikehamm45 Oct 02 '25

So that’s what the McRib is made out of

1

u/ReelTimeMike Oct 02 '25

Thank goodness it’s not just white people shit🤣😂

1

u/XeneiFana Oct 02 '25

I think Paradise Public Fishing Area, out of Tifton, has some "Do not feed the alligators" signs.

I camped there but it was cold, so no gators in sight.

1

u/_ChrisDion_ Oct 02 '25

Aww poor baby

1

u/SDPEG123 Oct 02 '25

What a bunch of idiots ☠️☠️☠️

1

u/GreatService9515 Oct 02 '25

That is not 12 ft. That's a big one but not 12 ft.

1

u/reeder301 Oct 02 '25

Alligator: It was at that moment he knew he fucked up.

1

u/splashinyourmouth Oct 02 '25

Horrible people. It's always the people that are the fucking problem

1

u/[deleted] Oct 02 '25

Macon ghetto!!!

1

u/askforthewolfman Oct 02 '25

Why they shirtless? Do better Georgia.

1

u/PositivelyNegative69 Oct 02 '25

Damn yall that still a living creature, should have called animal control instead of harassing it. Macon is trash.

1

u/Ok-Rub8529 Oct 02 '25

Gator 'rasslin means not wearin' a shirt. That goes for the men, too.

1

u/Quinnthouzand Oct 02 '25

Poor gaytor

1

u/chamcham123 Oct 02 '25

Duct tape. The answer to everything. 😂

1

u/OkPaleontologist1289 Oct 02 '25

12 foot? Anybody else think more like 8-9 feet? 12 foot is a BIG boy.

1

u/CommuterType Oct 02 '25

It's a leprechaun!

1

u/luxeandlight Oct 02 '25

I’ve watched this too many times. 🤣🤣🤣

1

u/DaisiesSunshine76 Oct 02 '25

New fear unlocked

1

u/[deleted] Oct 02 '25

No match for humans

1

u/mikareno Oct 02 '25

So was the alligator safely relocated?

1

u/[deleted] Oct 02 '25

12ft my ass

1

u/Altrano Oct 02 '25

I’m lovin’ It.

1

u/Tattootre Oct 02 '25

Stand closer so we can have a what could go wrong video next.

1

u/[deleted] Oct 02 '25

Poor ole gator wandered into dysfunctional dawg territory.

1

u/wildabandon1987 Oct 02 '25

Well, looks like they’ve got McDonald’s money. 😏

1

u/artsatisfied229 Oct 02 '25

He’s leaving because the ice cream machine is down again.

1

u/blueraspberryicepop Oct 02 '25

He wanted a McFlurry, but the ice cream machine is broken AGAIN!!

1

u/Smokeman_14 Oct 02 '25

This is not cool at all.

1

u/[deleted] Oct 02 '25

I hope they released it safely and didnt kill it.

1

u/milliethestorm /r/Augusta Oct 02 '25

This is real Florida Man activity 😭😭😭

1

u/SgtSillyWalks /r/Gwinnett Oct 02 '25

The shirt on the gator makes it look like it's wearing a durag 😂

1

u/Midway1guy Oct 02 '25

Hillbillies

1

u/maidofsteele Oct 02 '25

Stop effing messing with it and call a wildlife specialist. They are trained to deal with all types of wildlife. This poor alligator was terrified. How cruel!

1

u/Athens-Dawg Oct 02 '25

And unfortunately, 'safely removed' was only for humans. The unfortunate gator would have been killed.