Nicholls State University is in the heart of the bayou country with a vast array of swamp creatures crawling about, but on Thursday night one creature got too close to campus for comfort.
In the midst of the recreation center construction site, a nine-foot, 10-inch alligator was caught by Bryce Labat, marine biology freshman from Thibodaux, and ZZ Loupe from Zam’s Swamp Tours in Kraemer.
“I first heard about the gator when I was tagged in a picture (of the alligator) on Facebook. After seeing the picture, I knew the exact location—by the new rec center. I called my buddy, and we drove over here to get it,” Labat said.
Even with Bayou Lafourche within throwing distance, it is rare for these animals to venture so close to campus. Eugene Dial, director of student affairs and services, said he only remembered one other instance in which an alligator had been captured near campus–11 years ago.
Armed with only duct tape and a small collection of rope, Labat and 14-year-old Loupe took to the cane field in search of the reptile. After a few minutes of perusing the field, the prehistoric animal was spotted. Labat and Loupe moved in and heard a loud hissing sound coming from the animal. Labat placed a top jaw rope on the reptile and dragged it onto the embankment. The gator began a death roll in an attempt to free itself, which caused the top jaw rope to come undone. Fortunately, Loupe managed to get the rope back into place and handed the reins back over to Labat.
With the gator securely controlled by Labat, Loupe wrestled with it in attempt to cover the animal’s only eye. The task was difficult, evidenced when Loupe was knocked down by the muscular tail and how he barely avoided being struck multiple times.
After a 15-minute fight, the eyes were finally covered. However, when Labat placed his fingers within inches of the gator’s powerful jaws to tape its mouth shut, his effort was thwarted. Needing to keep the mouth shut, Loupe’s father, Diego Loupe, placed his hand on the snout and locked the mouth closed. The jaws were wrapped with nearly a full roll of duct tape, and the legs were hog-tied.
With the reptile tied up, the duo high-fived each other and began to pose for pictures with the gator. When the photo session was completed, the Loupe, his father and Labat lifted all 301 pounds of the gator into the back of the Loupe family truck and hauled it off to their swamp tour area.
Because the alligator, determined to be female, was larger than most and was caught in such close proximity to the Nicholls campus, it has been named The Colonel. The Colonel will be kept on display for all the visitors of Zam’s Swamp Tours to see.
After the successful capture of the gator, Labat was asked what he enjoys about catching gators.
“It is in my blood. I’ve been doing it since I was 16, and knowing that I have to outwit a creature that evolved over 250 million years specifically designed to eat me excites me,” he replied.
Labat is part of a group of outdoorsmen who look to capture some of the world’s largest reptiles – saltwater crocodiles. The group of men have been communicating with a production company about a show entitled Cajun Croc Hunters, where the group will search the Philippine jungles and rivers for a world record crocodile.
“We’re going get the big boys. All I want to do is break that world record-sized crocodile,” Labat said.
Recently, a 21-foot crocodile was captured in the Philippines and broke the exact record Labat wished to achieve. In comparison to The Colonel caught on Thursday, this animal weighed in at over 2,300 pounds. The Cajun Croc Hunters television show is still talking with the Philipino government, and they are in the process of getting their permits approved. Until then, Labat will have to practice with whatever the marshlands of Louisiana can throw at him.
For videos of the alligator’s capture, go to www.thenichollsworth.com
