Chunky alligator causing concern in Florida neighborhood

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- A chunky alligator is causing growing concern in Temple Terrace, Florida.

Residents are worried that the gator could potentially cause harm to a passerby or get out of the fenced-in area through a gaping hole in one of the gates.

"I kind of got to check every time I come out the house," resident Priscila Watson said.

"The kids know there's a gator there -- don't feed him, don't mess with him. I don't even allow them over there without me," another resident Jean Marc said.

Photos show the massive reptile sprawled out in a pile of mulch with various trash and debris littered around the animal.

Construction crews nearby told Nexstar's WFLA that people in the area have been feeding him -- something that is illegal and dangerous. Neighborhood residents said the gator has been there for a "really long time."

(Photos: WFLA)

It's unclear what led the gator to make this location its home. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation told WFLA they are aware of the reptile and are looking into the incident.

In the state of Florida, it’s illegal to harass or kill an alligator without a permit. FWC also advises citizens not to bother or feed the animals.

Anyone with concerns about an alligator should call the agency’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286).

Here are some tips the FWC said people should know when dealing with alligators in Florida:

• Keep a safe distance if you see an alligator.
• Keep pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge. Pets often resemble alligators’ natural prey.
• Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours and without your pet. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn.
• Never feed an alligator. It’s illegal and dangerous. When fed, alligators can lose their natural wariness and instead learn to associate people with the availability of food, which can lead to dangerous circumstances for yourself and others who could encounter the alligator in the future.