Largo Police Officer A Reptile Whisperer?

Largo, FL — Largo Police Officer Christopher Asbury is gaining quite a reputation for his uncanny knack for saving critters of the reptilian kind.

The police department first became aware of Asbury’s unusual talents last week when it received a call about a rather large alligator creating a stir on Eighth Avenue.

“What do the police do when we get a call of a large alligator,” the agency posted on Facebook. “We send the new guy.”

Asbury, who joined the agency in January, was the new guy sent out on the call. While he's reportedly proud to protect and serve, he didn't look so sure about the gator-related assignment. The gator also didn’t look too sure about Asbury based on a photo the department published.

“I’m not sure, but by the photo, Officer Asbury does not seem to be a Gator fan,” the agency noted. “Perhaps he likes the FSU Seminoles or USF Bulls more?”

Whether that is true or not is unclear. What is clear is that Asbury managed to keep up with the gator while waiting on a trapper to arrive. During their time together, the gator “decided to relocate off into a pond in the neighboring golf course,” the agency reported on Facebook.

Just how Asbury pulled that off hasn't been said. The good news for the gator, however, is that his self-relocation did result in the trapper being called off, Lt. Paul Amodeo said.

• Florida Gators on the Move as Temperatures Rise

After the win with the gator last Thursday, it seems Asbury further added to his reputation by rescuing a turtle he spotted in a road.

“First it’s a gator, now turtles … nice work with the animals, Officer Asbury,” the agency posted on Monday.

Asbury may continue to find himself busy as weather continues to heat up.

“All reptiles are more active in the warmer months,” Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesman Gary Morse said. “That’s just the cold-blooded creatures’ (way). Their metabolism increases and they do become active.”

That increase in activity can lead to an increase in encounters with humans as gators — and turtles — take advantage of this time of year to stretch their legs and see if the grass is greener on the other side of the pond.

Reports about gators on residential streets, in backyards and even on front porches also tend to begin flooding in this time of year, state officials say.

The calls are so many, the state has set up its own hotline to accept nuisance alligator calls. That number is 1-866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). In 2013 alone, the state fielded 15,036 nuisance alligator calls, which resulted in the removal of 6,605 creatures.

So, what should folks do if they encounter a gator, and how can they avoid running into one in the first place?

“If you see an alligator, appreciate it from a distance,” Morse recommended.

If you’re in Largo, Officer Asbury might be the one to call.

Photos courtesy of the Largo Police Department 

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