Alligator sightings occur fairly routinely in and near water on Florida golf courses. Less common is the sight of a giant gator strolling across a fairway in broad daylight.
The accompanying footage was shared Wednesday by WINK News chief meteorologist Matt Devitt, who stated via X:
“Welcome to Jurassic Park. Massive Florida gator spotted Monday at this golf course in Rotonda from a WINK News viewer. I’d let him play through.”
Welcome to Jurassic Park. Massive Florida gator spotted Monday at this golf course in Rotonda from a @WINKNews viewer. I’d let him play through. 🐊👀 pic.twitter.com/jX4wRzHqq1
— Matt Devitt (@MattDevittWX) March 27, 2024
It’s not the first time Devitt has referenced ‘Jurassic Park’ in video clips he received from viewers.
In February 2023, Devitt shared an image showing a truly massive gator gazing ominously toward the photographer from a different golf course.
“Welcome to Florida, home to Jurassic Park,” Devitt wrote on Facebook.
Any alligator measuring 10-plus feet is huge.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the state length record is 14 feet, 3-1/2 inches (Lake Washington, Brevard County).
The weight record, for a different alligator, is 1,043 pounds (Orange Lake, Alachua County.)
Not everybody was impressed by Devitt’s video post on Wednesday.
One follower commented, “That’s pretty much an every day occurrence somewhere in Florida. Only non-Floridians even find it noteworthy.”