CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Massive 12-foot gator takes jaunt across SC golf course

FRIPP ISLAND, S.C. — A massive alligator was captured on video as it lumbered down the fourth fairway Tuesday evening at Ocean Point Golf Links on Fripp Island, South Carolina.

Jessica Miller, the head naturalist at Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort, posted the video on Facebook.

She said that while a small crowd of people and deer kept watch as the gator walked, "He paid them no mind and had only his next pond in his sights."

Miller said she measured a spot in the grass on which the gator had laid down and it measured just short of 12 feet.

Channel 9 spoke to Miller, who gave WSOC-TV permission to use the video. She said it was amazing to be able to catch this massive gator on camera during the day.

Miller said if you ever see a gator traveling out of the water, stay back and let him continue his journey. Respect is key, she said.

(INTERVIEW: Anchor Erica Bryant interviews head naturalist at Fripp Island Golf and Beach Resort)

"They (the people watching) asked, 'What do you want to do about this?' I said, 'We are not doing anything about this.
This is the king, the boss,'" Miller said.

The ancient reptile was not aggressive and was seemingly oblivious to the people in the area.

Instead, Miller said, he was intent on roaming the big territory, which is filled with ponds.

“He has to move between them in order to get the food that he needs,” she said. “He also, it's mating season right now. He probably has multiple female alligators that he needs to go visit to mate with.”

In this resort area, every pond has a sign warning stating that gators live there, and the community is well-educated about wildlife.

“We stress to people to give alligators their space and never to feed them,” Miller said. “And because people respect these rules and respect the gators, we can coexist.”

For more wildlife videos, follow Fripp Island Activity Center on Facebook.

Cox Media Group