FLORIDA MAN ATTEMPTS TO DOMESTICATE WILD ALLIGATOR, NAMES IT 'GERALD'
A true story. Mostly. · Based on a real incident reported by the Ocala Star-Banner, August 2026.
Somewhere between Gainesville and a very bad decision, a man named Dale had an idea.
He's just misunderstood.
— DaleIt started, as most Florida Man stories do, on a Tuesday.
Gerald was a 9-foot American alligator who had been living in Dale's backyard retention pond for three years.
He comes when I call him. That's basically a pet.
— DaleDale had been feeding Gerald chicken nuggets every evening at 6pm. Gerald had come to expect this.
Sir, you cannot legally own an alligator.
— Officer KowalskiGerald owns himself. He's a free spirit.
— DaleWildlife Officer Brenda Kowalski had seen a lot in 22 years on the job. This was new.
Gerald was relocated to a wildlife sanctuary. Dale was issued a $500 fine and a formal warning.
Gerald is reportedly thriving at the Ocala Wildlife Center. He does not respond to his name.
Dale has since applied for a Class I Wildlife license. The application is pending.