When alligators make headlines: Bradenton’s weirdest and wildest gator encounters

Ryan Ballogg
·4 min read
11

Like it or not, it was their home first.

As long as people have lived in Florida, they’ve been having run-ins with alligators.

Around Bradenton, the rogue reptiles have been known to show up in lots of places you wouldn’t expect them: homes, schools, stores, blocking major roads and even stopping by the beach.

We took a swampy dive into our archives for some of the Bradenton area’s most unusual crocodilian encounters over the years.

Here’s a look at when alligators made headlines.

An alligator was seen on the beach near Rod and Reel Pier by a visitor from Maryland.
An alligator was seen on the beach near Rod and Reel Pier by a visitor from Maryland.

Alligator at the beach

After Hurricane Ian in 2022, there were reports from around Florida about displaced critters appearing in the wake of the storm. On Anna Maria Island, a 7-foot-9-inch alligator showed up and surprised beachgoers before it was removed by a trapper.

Why did the alligator cross the road?

We don’t know, but it always causes a stir.

Last year, an alligator was caught on video weaving across U.S. 301 and State Road 70.

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputies block traffic for an alligator that decided to take a break on U.S. 301 south of Tallevast Road in this 2009 file photo.
Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputies block traffic for an alligator that decided to take a break on U.S. 301 south of Tallevast Road in this 2009 file photo.

It’s certainly not the first time the creatures have given drivers pause.

In 2022, a Venice man was literally and metaphorically shaken when a 10-foot alligator crawled underneath his truck and made it rock as it passed underneath.

Back in 2009, an alligator temporarily shut down traffic when it decided to take a siesta on U.S. 301, according to a Bradenton Herald report from the time.

Alligator attractions

Florida has a long history of featuring our native water lizards as part of tourist attractions and roadside exhibits.

Locally, visitors can observe alligators (sometimes hundreds!) in the wild at Myakka River State Park or hold a baby gator at Sarasota Jungle Gardens.

In years past, the former Seahorse Gift Shop (the seahorse statue near the Green Bridge in Palmetto pays homage to it) welcomed tourists with free papaya juice, beach souvenirs and live animals — including alligators.

The Seahorse Gift Shop, which opened in the 1950s in Palmetto and later relocated to Bradenton, was a popular roadside attraction that offered free visitors fruit juice and live alligator encounters.
The Seahorse Gift Shop, which opened in the 1950s in Palmetto and later relocated to Bradenton, was a popular roadside attraction that offered free visitors fruit juice and live alligator encounters.
The back of a post card for the Sea Horse Gift Shop in Bradenton advertises free papaya juice and a live alligator.
The back of a post card for the Sea Horse Gift Shop in Bradenton advertises free papaya juice and a live alligator.

“The shop was well known for its live alligator mascot, Charlie,” reads a description of the shop on file at the Manatee County Historical Records Library.

Alligators were also a past main attraction at the Manatee County Fair.

Jeff Quattrocchi, also known as “The Swamp Master,” once brought his alligator wrangling show to the fairgrounds in Palmetto.

Jeff Quattrocchi, approaching an 8-foot, 200-pound American Alligator, during the Swampmaster Gator Show at the Manatee County Fair on Wednesday January 23, 2002.
Jeff Quattrocchi, approaching an 8-foot, 200-pound American Alligator, during the Swampmaster Gator Show at the Manatee County Fair on Wednesday January 23, 2002.
The shadow of Jeff Quattrocchi, as he approaches an eight foot 200 pound American Alligator, during the Swampmaster Gator Show at the Manatee County Fair on January 23, 2002.
The shadow of Jeff Quattrocchi, as he approaches an eight foot 200 pound American Alligator, during the Swampmaster Gator Show at the Manatee County Fair on January 23, 2002.
Terry Harrison of Ellenton holding “Wally” a baby alligator, during the Swampmaster Gator Show at the Manatee County Fair on January 23, 2002.
Terry Harrison of Ellenton holding “Wally” a baby alligator, during the Swampmaster Gator Show at the Manatee County Fair on January 23, 2002.

The alligator around town

Alligators are known to show up in the darnedest places. Springtime is typically when they travel the most, as their mating season occurs between April and June.

An alligator was found on the grounds of Palm View Elementary School in Palmetto in 2019. School officials said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials were called to remove the 8-foot, 2-inch gator.
An alligator was found on the grounds of Palm View Elementary School in Palmetto in 2019. School officials said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials were called to remove the 8-foot, 2-inch gator.

  • In 2019, an 8-foot alligator tried to get in on the tail end of the school year at Palm View Elementary School in Palmetto. It was promptly expelled.

  • In 2018, a Bradenton couple woke up to find their patio furniture in disarray. Security footage revealed that none other than an alligator had stopped by to do some “rearranging.”

  • Also in 2018, deputies were summoned to a Lakewood Ranch Wawa in the wee hours after a 2-foot alligator was dropped off without explanation inside the store.

  • Many Floridians have a fondness for Publix, and apparently, the fandom includes some alligators, too. Locally, they’ve been spotted walking toward the store and hanging around outside.

Doing the dirty work:

When alligators show up where they aren’t wanted, they usually don’t go quietly.

Whether it’s law enforcement, wildlife officers or a professional trapper, someone has to embrace their inner Steve Irwin and get up close and personal with one of the strongest bite forces in the animal kingdom.

Chad Wright carefully prepares to wire a 10-foot alligator’s dangerous jaws shut while office workers look on from a safe distance. A trapper for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Wright removed the gator from the ComCenter 70 parking lot on May 7, 2003.
Chad Wright carefully prepares to wire a 10-foot alligator’s dangerous jaws shut while office workers look on from a safe distance. A trapper for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Wright removed the gator from the ComCenter 70 parking lot on May 7, 2003.
Charlie Tanner, Nuisance Alligator Trapper for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and with his son, Ben Tanner, as FWC Officer Jeff Babauta takes measurements of an alligator caught in a pond in Mill Creek in this 2006 file photograph.
Charlie Tanner, Nuisance Alligator Trapper for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and with his son, Ben Tanner, as FWC Officer Jeff Babauta takes measurements of an alligator caught in a pond in Mill Creek in this 2006 file photograph.
City of Bradenton police officers pull a 4-foot alligator out from under a fence after trapping the wayward gator at the Page Projects apartments in this 2003 file photo.
City of Bradenton police officers pull a 4-foot alligator out from under a fence after trapping the wayward gator at the Page Projects apartments in this 2003 file photo.

I’d know that toothy grin anywhere...

Sometimes, alligators hang around in one spot so long that they become a familiar face. One such homebody took a liking to Buffalo Creek Golf Course in Palmetto, where he earned an affection nickname: Chubbs.

Last reported at 15 feet, Chubbs has been keeping an eye on the green and charming golfers for over 25 years.

We’re in awe of you, alligator

Last century, alligators were nearly hunted to extinction, but Endangered Species Act protections brought their numbers booming back. Here’s hoping our state reptile will be around to invite awe and admiration for a long time to come.

On that note, here are some photos of alligators doing their thing around Manatee County from the Bradenton Herald archives.

An alligator warms its self in the sun along the bank of the Lake Manatee Reservoir in January 2013.
An alligator warms its self in the sun along the bank of the Lake Manatee Reservoir in January 2013.
An alligator rests along the shoreline of one of the lakes in The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch in this 2008 file photograph.
An alligator rests along the shoreline of one of the lakes in The Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch in this 2008 file photograph.
A 10- to 12-foot alligator takes an afternoon break on the banks of Mill Creek in East Manatee in this 2001 file photo.
A 10- to 12-foot alligator takes an afternoon break on the banks of Mill Creek in East Manatee in this 2001 file photo.
A painted alligator greets visitors to the Inner Visions art gallery, during the Village of the Arts Holiday ArtWalk in 2010.
A painted alligator greets visitors to the Inner Visions art gallery, during the Village of the Arts Holiday ArtWalk in 2010.