JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – He’s done it again.
Mike Dragich, a licensed Florida alligator trapper, MMA artist, veteran, and nonprofit leader in Florida, trapped and removed an alligator from a pipe at a construction site near Cecil Field on Monday.
Dragich was seen entering the manhole to get the gator out with his hands. He said the gator would’ve died if it didn’t get out. Dragich was able to remove the gator and safely relocate it to a nearby waterway.
This one was only 4 feet, but he’s regularly contracted to trap and remove gators in excess of 10 feet. He said it wasn’t large enough or aggressive enough to be considered a nuisance gator.
He said do not try this on your own. If you see an aggressive or nuisance alligator, call the FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286).
Dragich has gained notoriety for past gator removals, including one he wrestled from a Jacksonville 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.