Marine Takes on Alligator in Florida, Using a Trash Bin for Capture

A U.S. Marine and licensed trapper in Florida, known online as @bluecollar_brawler, created a remarkable scene in Jacksonville by capturing an alligator using nothing but a trash bin—and he did it barefoot! The incident took place on Easter Sunday when this professional alligator hunter abruptly left his family dinner to respond to alarmed neighbors concerned about the reptile in a residential area.

Demonstrating extraordinary composure, the Marine managed to secure the live alligator inside the trash container, much to the shock and loud reactions of onlookers, as seen in the video shared on his Instagram account. "I responded from an Easter dinner with my family and improvised by using a trash can to remove the gator from the property. Luckily, no animals or people were harmed. Stay aware of your surroundings!" the trapper shared on social media.

Florida's Frequent Alligator Encounters

While this trapper's daring feat is astonishing, it's not the first time a Florida resident has used a trash bin to capture an alligator. In 2021, Eugene Bozzi, a U.S. Army veteran, famously trapped a crocodile at his home using a garbage can and then released it back into the water.

In Florida, alligator sightings, although always attention-grabbing, are common due to the ongoing interaction between wildlife and urban areas. Last December, a mother alligator and her young were seen crossing a road, an unusual scene that caught the attention of local residents. Earlier, in July, social media users reported a massive gathering of alligators in a natural area, underscoring the abundant presence of these reptiles in the state.