Florida Resident Fought a 10-Foot Alligator on the Side of the Highway (6 photos + 1 video)
A barefoot man wrestled a massive alligator on the side of I-95 in Jacksonville, Florida, and the reptile didn't stand a chance. Mike Dragic, 36, is a Marine veteran, professional MMA fighter, and licensed alligator hunter. 
Florida, the Sunshine State, is famous for its alligator population. Experts estimate that there are about 1.3 million of these reptiles living here. Sometimes predators wander too close to people's homes, busy roads or commercial centers, and then the help of hunters is needed.
On Sunday, Dragic was having dinner with his family when he received a call. It turned out that an alligator was trying to cross the I-95 highway. In the viral video, the American arrived at the scene of the incident without protective gear and shoes. He boldly approached the alligator, and they entered into a fight.
The man made several attempts to throw a noose around the alligator. At first, the animal evaded capture, thrashed in the grass and gnashed its huge teeth. But soon Dragic managed to tighten the noose and wrap the powerful jaws with duct tape. The police officer helped drag the predator to a white pickup truck and load it into the trunk.
The average alligator is 10 feet long and can weigh between 400 and 600 pounds.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), once an alligator is caught, it becomes the property of the hunter.
"Alligators are usually harvested for their skins and meat, which is compensation for the trappers' labor. Sometimes the animal is sent to a farm or zoo," an FWC spokesman said.
Catching alligators is a relatively low-paying job. So many people sell their catch to supplement their income. But even that may not be enough to support a person or family. Most hunters have additional sources of income.
To become a certified alligator hunter in Florida, you must purchase a license for $272 and apply online at the FWC website. These professionals do not undergo traditional training like other animal control officers. They learn by doing and rely on experience, knowledge of alligator behavior, and compliance with regulations to safely capture these creatures.
