Florida alligator wrangler wrestles 10-foot gator barefoot on hot asphalt, saying “My feet were on fire” in reposted 2022 video [VIDEO]

Zay Outdoors, a licensed trapper, secured the large reptile in a parking lot after a nuisance call

A Florida alligator trapper wrestled a large reptile barefoot on hot asphalt in a parking lot. Zay Outdoors, a licensed nuisance alligator trapper, posted the video on Facebook on June 5 with the caption: “My feet were on fire 😭.” The Reel has since accumulated over 2 million views.

Originally posted in 2022, the video shows Zay crouching next to a large adult alligator estimated at 7 to 10 feet or longer. However, Zay says the gator was 9 feet. The reptile lies on sun-baked pavement in a commercial parking lot. Parked vehicles, power lines, and trees are visible in the background. Meanwhile, Zay wears light-colored shorts and a t-shirt. He is barefoot.

He approaches the gator, maneuvers around its body, and secures its head and jaws. This is a standard technique to control the animal’s bite. The alligator thrashes and moves on the hot surface. Zay manages its body and tail. As a result, he shifts his weight and adjusts his grip as the reptile attempts to roll.

The hot asphalt, typical of Florida summers, increases the alligator’s activity level. Meanwhile, it also makes the barefoot handling physically taxing for Zay. A child’s laughter is audible in the background.

The Alligator Was Too Large to Relocate

Zay narrates portions of the video. He explains that the alligator cannot be relocated because of its size. “Where do you relocate guys like this?” he says. “In all honesty, we can’t relocate this one because it’s too big… it’ll end up back in that pond.”

He notes that larger alligators have strong homing instincts. Relocating them often results in the animal returning to its original territory. So, because of this, it creates the same nuisance. Instead, the gator will be processed under Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regulations.

He mentions possible destinations like Gatorland or Wild Florida, but the terminology “suitcase” appears in related comments. The term is industry slang for processing the animal into meat and hides. This is a legal and regulated outcome for nuisance alligators that cannot be safely relocated.

The video ends with the alligator secured for transport. No injuries to Zay or bystanders are visible or reported.

Zay Is a Licensed Nuisance Alligator Trapper

Zay Outdoors operates Zay’s Outdoor Adventures, a licensed nuisance wildlife removal service based in Central Florida, primarily in Osceola County and the Kissimmee-Orlando area. He is authorized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to handle alligator removal, as well as raccoons, snakes, and other nuisance species.

He also conducts educational tours and wildlife demonstrations. His social media content documents real-world nuisance calls. In the videos, he emphasizes the physical techniques, environmental challenges, and safety protocols involved.

As a result of the entertainment value, his videos often go viral. This Reel follows his established pattern: authentic, unscripted footage of a professional handling a dangerous animal in a relatable setting, in this video a parking lot — while using humor to highlight the difficulty of the work.

The barefoot element is not recommended practice. Zay’s decision to handle the alligator without shoes adds to the visual drama of the video. He acknowledges the discomfort in the caption. However, he does not suggest others do the same.

The Hot Asphalt Made the Gator More Active

The video was filmed in Florida during the summer. Pavement temperatures in the state can exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit on sunny days. The heat energizes ectothermic reptiles like alligators, which rely on external temperatures to regulate their body heat.

The alligator in the video is active, thrashing, and moving throughout the encounter. The hot surface increases its energy and makes it more difficult to control. Zay’s bare feet on the same pavement add an element of physical challenge and humor.

The caption — “My feet were on fire” — references both the literal heat of the asphalt and the figurative intensity of the encounter. Commenters noted the risk. “It’s gonna hurt like hell if you get whipped by that tail,” one user wrote.

Zay does not appear to be injured. He continues working throughout the video. Also, he does not mention any burns or injuries in the caption or subsequent posts. So, it’s a safe assumption that he wasn’t harmed or injured.

Admiration and Humor Are the Preeminent Responses in the Comments

The Facebook Reel received over 10,000 reactions and more than 1,300 comments. Sentiment was overwhelmingly positive.

One user wrote: “You’re doing right, tire him out first.” Another posted: “Tough dude.” A third commented: “I’m more nimble barefoot.” Some users praised the child’s laughter in the background. Others made jokes about Florida’s wildlife. “Only in Florida,” one user wrote. Another posted: “…and that’s how the Lacoste logo was born.”

Several commenters expressed concern about the barefoot handling. “It’s gonna hurt like hell if you get whipped by that tail,” one user wrote. However, others defended Zay’s expertise. “He knows what he’s doing,” one comment read.

No major backlash emerged. The video was treated as entertainment and education, not controversy.

Nuisance Alligator Calls Are Common in Florida

Florida has a large American alligator population. During warmer months, breeding season and increased activity lead to more human-wildlife conflicts. Alligators may enter residential areas, retention ponds, parking lots, or commercial properties.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission operates a nuisance alligator hotline (866-FWC-GATOR). They contract with licensed trappers like Zay to respond to calls. The public is advised not to approach or handle alligators themselves.

Smaller alligators may be relocated to suitable habitats. Larger alligators — like the one in this video — are often not relocated due to their homing instincts. Under FWC regulations, they may be processed for meat and hides or sent to alligator farms for educational or sustainable use programs.

The term “suitcase” is industry slang for this processing pathway. It appears in comments on Zay’s video and is used by other trappers in similar contexts.

Final Thought: Millions of Views for the Alligator Wrangling

Zay’s Reel was posted over the weekend. Within days, it accumulated millions of views. It has been shared across Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms.

The video’s appeal comes from the combination of elements: a large, dangerous animal; a professional handler working barefoot on hot pavement; a child’s laughter in the background. In addition, it has a caption that turns a routine nuisance call into a relatable moment.

Zay did not comment further on the video after posting. He has not addressed whether he sustained any burns or injuries. His page continues to post similar content. The alligator was removed. The pavement cooled down. The video remains.