Wildlife experts snag Florida gator strolling down public trail in Brooker Creek Preserve

(Cover photo, Image credit: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office)

On Thanksgiving Day 2023, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), with headquarters located in Largo, Florida, shared the tale of deputies in the Marine and Environmental Lands Unit discovering a seven-foot alligator on the public trail within the Brooker Creek Preserve located in Tarpon Springs, early on Thanksgiving morning.

Although the gator was probably just prepping for Thanksgiving dinner like the rest of us, for the safety of trail users the gator was moved to a part of the preserve that is off-limits to the public. ~ PCSO

The sheriff’s office reminded us all that wildlife encounters like this reminds us to always be respectful and cautious in our county’s nature preserves.

The Brooker Creek Preserve is approximately 8,700 acres, and the largest natural area in Pinellas County. It consists primarily of forested wetlands and pine flatwoods. Bordered by dense urban development, the Preserve provides both a unique refuge for native flora and fauna, as well as an opportunity for citizens to explore the natural beauty of wild Florida.

The Preserve also serves to protect a significant portion of the Brooker Creek Watershed. A complex of hiking and equestrian trails provide visitors an opportunity to explore the Preserve’s many ecosystems.