Reptile rescue! Authorities save seven-foot alligator that got stuck in Florida storm drain using dog leash and duct tape

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A seven-foot alligator that got wedged between a pipe and the edge of a Florida storm drain is on its way to an alligator farm after Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies arrived and rescued the reptile. 

A Seminole County resident was trying to stop the animal from being hit by a car as the reptile tried to climb out of the drain Friday night, but pushed the gator further into the drain while trying to help.

The Pinellas County deputies removed a manhole cover and found the alligator trapped beneath it on Friday around 5.30pm near the intersection of 117th Drive North and 101 Street in Seminole.

Pinellas County deputies saved an alligator that got wedged between a pipe and the edge of a Florida drain

The deputies used a dog's leash to close the gator's mouth and secured it with duct tape before hoisting it out

The lucky reptile is headed to an alligator farm 

The deputies used a dog's leash to close the alligator's mouth, then secured it with duct tape. 

They then lassoed the alligator behind its front legs and hoisted it out of the drain using the leash. 

Once the animal was free and clear of the drain, the rescuers used the leash one more time and strapped in on the gator's back.  

State wildlife officials took possession of the female alligator and the plan was to relocate her to the farm as soon as possible. 

Deputies Meagan Nestor, 26, Damon Laney, 35, and Cory List, 25, were lauded for their efforts.

Alligator sightings in Seminole County are not uncommon. 

The county's animal services department has a hotline in place so residence can easily call in to report nuisance alligators or possible alligator violations.

The Florida Wildlife Commission said it will generally advise callers to 'let nature take its course' and leave any deceased alligator where it was found.

Luckily for the seven-foot female, that was not the case in this instance.