© 2026 WGCU News
PBS and NPR for Southwest Florida
Donate
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Lee County deputy wrangles large eastern diamondback at Bonita National residence

WGCU | By Michael Braun
Published September 2, 2022 at 9:04 AM EDT
Special to WGCU Public Media
Lee County Sheriff's Office Deputy Jim VanPelt, a licensed large-constrictor contractor, used his training and experience to recently wrangle a large rattler at a home in Bonita National.

Lee County is home to some amazing, yet dangerous, wildlife species.

Overnight, deputies from the Lee County Sheriff's Office South District received a call in reference to a large eastern diamondback rattlesnake near a home at Bonita National.

Deputy Jim VanPelt, who is licensed through the Florida Wildlife Commission as a large-constrictor contractor, used his training and experience to wrangle this large rattler using the proper equipment.

After VanPelt captured the venomous rattler the snake was safely relocated to a desolate area.

The Sheriff's Office reminds Southwest Florida residents that if you encounter a venomous animal, do not approach and contact a licensed professional for removal.

While Deputy VanPelt was able to do this without harming the animal, not all deputies are experienced certified serpent specialists..

A video of the capture can be seen here.

WGCU is your trusted source for news and information in Southwest Florida. We are a nonprofit public service, and your support is more critical than ever. Keep public media strong and donate now. Thank you.
Tags
Lee County Sheriff's OfficeRattlesnakeWGCU News
Michael Braun
mbraun@wgcu.org
See stories by Michael Braun
Trusted by over 30,000 local subscribers

Local News, Right Sized for Your Morning

Quick briefs when you are busy, deeper explainers when it matters, delivered early morning and curated by WGCU editors.

  • Environment
  • Local politics
  • Health
  • And more

Free and local. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

More from WGCU
  • Government & Politics
    Town of Fort Myers Beach to issue short-term rental violation notices
    WGCU Staff
    The Town of Fort Myers Beach will begin issuing violation notices in the coming weeks to short-term rental properties that are not registered with the Town. The Town has identified approximately 500 short-term rentals currently operating without the required registration. Many of these rentals are managed by property management companies that have not completed the registration process.
  • Transportation
    Florida Department of Transportation improves safety and traffic along I-75
    Kate Cronin
    The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is boosting safety and convenience along I-75 with upcoming installations. A pre-construction information session covering new interchange construction at I-75 at Toledo Blade Boulevard and Sumter Boulevard in Sarasota County will be held on Tuesday, Jan 6.
  • Environment
    Coping with Winter Cold
    Dr. Jerry Jackson
    Animals in south Florida don’t have to worry much about winter cold – and indeed many migrants from areas farther north find suitable living conditions here. But, a trip to the beach or on a rare blustery day sometimes makes one wonder. How do ducks, herons, egrets, and other birds tolerate wading or swimming in cold weather? Aquatic birds, for example, have bare skinny legs with leg muscles placed among insulating feathers.Blood vessels going to and from the very few muscles in the legs and feet lie right next to one another, and cold blood going back into the body is warmed by warmer blood coming from the body – and is nearly the same temperature as the blood circulating in the well-insulated body.