A recreational area at the Ocala National Forest that was forced to temporarily close this weekend after reports of a nuisance alligator was able to reopen just a few hours later after the gator was caught and removed.
The U.S. National Forest temporarily closed the Salt Springs Recreation Area, which is located in Fort McCoy, on Saturday, June 29 after officials reported that they were attempting to remove an adult nuisance alligator that was observed “around the boils.”
State forest staff immediately notified a professional trapper and the area was closed down beginning at around 8 a.m. on Saturday.
A few hours later, just after noon, park officials reported that the alligator, which measured 10 feet in length, had been “safely removed” from the area.
There were no reported injuries.