Residents of Boiling Spring Lakes, North Carolina, were in for a shock when a large alligator was spotted on a highway. Brunswick County sheriff’s deputies intervened. Despite initial efforts to subdue the creature with catch poles and ropes, the alligator refused to budge.
Fortunately, local firefighters came up with a unique solution to the problem. Members of the Boiling Spring Lakes Fire Department stood on River Road and used a high-powered water hose to convince the alligator to retreat into the nearby wilderness.
Officials warned that the situation was particularly dangerous due to the alligator’s size and the low-light conditions, which could have led to a serious accident on the highway. As such, the firefighters’ unconventional method of handling the situation was praised for its effectiveness.
Boiling Spring Lakes is known to have a large population of alligators, and encounters with these reptiles are not uncommon. According to local wildlife officials, alligators in the area can grow up to 13 feet long and weigh as much as 500 pounds.