**FLORIDA MAN’S POOL PARTY INTERRUPTED BY UNWANTED GUEST**
A Florida resident got more than he bargained for when he woke up to find an unexpected guest swimming in his pool – a 6-foot alligator.
John Smith, 32, said he was fast asleep at his home in Fort Lauderdale when he was startled by a loud splash coming from his backyard pool at around 6:30 am on Tuesday.
“I thought it was just a big fish or something, but then I looked out the window and saw this huge alligator swimming around in my pool,” Smith said in an interview. “I was like, ‘What in the world?!’ I couldn’t believe my eyes.”
Smith quickly grabbed his phone and called 911, and within minutes, wildlife control officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) arrived on the scene.
“It was crazy,” said Officer Jane Doe, who responded to the call. “The alligator was just swimming around in the pool like it owned the place. We had to sedate it and then transport it to a nearby wildlife sanctuary.”
The alligator, estimated to be around 6 feet long, was safely removed from the pool and taken to a secure facility for rehabilitation. Smith said he was relieved that no one was hurt, but he was also shaken by the unexpected encounter.
“I mean, you hear about alligators being in people’s pools, but you never think it’s going to happen to you,” Smith said. “I’m just glad it ended well. I’ll definitely be more careful about keeping an eye on my pool from now on.”
The FWC reminds residents and visitors to be aware of their surroundings and take precautions to prevent encounters with wildlife, especially in areas where alligators are common.
**SAFETY TIPS**
* Be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye out for wildlife in your area
* Keep your pool and surrounding areas clear of debris and clutter
* Do not feed wildlife, including alligators
* Keep a safe distance from wild animals, and never approach or try to touch them
In this case, Smith’s quick thinking and the swift response of the FWC helped prevent a potentially dangerous situation from escalating. As for Smith, he’s just happy to have a good story to tell – and a newfound appreciation for the wildlife that inhabits his backyard.
