Tampa, FL, USA - May 15, 2024

An ordinary patrol took an unexpected turn for a Hillsborough County deputy in the early hours of Wednesday morning when he stumbled upon a massive 9-foot alligator leisurely sprawled across College Avenue in Ruskin.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office swiftly responded to what they described as an "unexpected roadblock," with bodycam footage capturing the surreal encounter between law enforcement and the formidable reptile.

Approaching the slumbering gator with caution, the deputy's attempts to coax the creature off the roadway were met with a mix of humor and apprehension. "You just taking a nap?" he quipped, addressing the imposing reptile before gently urging it to move along. "Oh hi, big boy! Come on, keep going. Come on, don't be nasty."

With a few strategic maneuvers and the assistance of Florida Fish and Wildlife, deputies successfully guided the alligator out of harm's way and relocated it to a more suitable habitat.

"Just another day here in Florida," remarked the sheriff's office on social media, encapsulating the surreal essence of life in the Sunshine State where encounters with wildlife, both awe-inspiring and amusing, are par for the course.