ESTERO, Fla. — From the moment they crossed paths, Richard Wilbanks and Gunner were inseparable.
At the breeder’s place in Miami, Richard snuggled up right beside Gunner, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel, during their initial encounter. The two required nothing more than that.
Richard took Gunner, his famous duo, to their home on the lanai that overlooks a wild nature preserve in Estero, whether they are out on the couch or side by side.
Gunner and Richard went out for a walk next to the pond near the Wilbanks’ home as the ultimate test of their companionship on a late Sunday morning in October.
The duo were strolling along the coast where, unbeknownst to either Richard or Gunner, a crocodile was on high alert.
Richard leapt into the water without any hesitation after the gator had its jaws around the puppy. Gunner quickly grabbed the 4-foot gator from the water, almost instantly.
The rescue: A man from Florida saves his dog from the mouth of an alligator; a wildlife camera captures the intense rescue.
Richard reminisced about the event, stating, “It resembled a projectile. It hit with the agility of a serpent, yet we were in close proximity, merely 3 feet away. I promptly intervened, finding Gunner ensnared in its powerful hold.”
Richard and Louise relocated to Estero four years ago.
Louise mentioned that the couple arrived through the central Texas hill country. They desired to be near their family, and the Wilbanks were already acquainted with the region. Additionally, Richard’s son Grant, who is a landscape architect, resides in Bonita Springs.
Without any delay, the duo returned to Texas and were enjoying their honeymoon when the Realtor contacted them to inform that the house was once again available for sale. Richard mentioned that they visited the house in Estero, but unfortunately, it had already been taken under contract.
“We became enamored with it,” Richard expressed.
Nestled at the cul-de-sac of their neighborhood, the Wilbanks’ residence reflects their passion for the natural world.
In Gunner’s bedroom, there is a TV hanging on the wall in front of the beds. The family room is decorated with paintings of roseate spoonbills and seahorses. Above the dining table, there is a large painting of two great egrets, and a cross-stitched heron.
Louise mentioned that Richard dedicated four years to cultivating vegetation in the backyard, resulting in an uninterrupted vista into the natural sanctuary.
Richard mentioned that he has observed deer, turkey, bobcats, and even a panther in close proximity to their residence.
“It’s amazing to have the opportunity to share our lives with the fauna,” he expressed.
And that optimism even applies to the alligator who seized Gunner, as well.
“He’s still out there swimming,” Richard said.
The duo, with blood oozing from their wounds, made their way back to the house. Afterwards, Richard had to release himself from the alligator’s grip, managing to pry Gunner loose. Gunner was in a state of shock right after the assault.
The puppy stayed at the hospital for a few days to recover. Although the X-rays only revealed some water in the lungs, Wilbanks was concerned about any potential internal injuries. After doctors discovered a puncture wound, Gunner quickly took Richard’s hands to fix it at home.
Gunner, full of vitality like only young dogs can be, is now equipped with a brand new leash for his daily strolls. He happily welcomes visitors at the entrance, exuding a lively energy. Gunner is currently in excellent health and spirits.
“A fresh start,” Richard exclaimed.
The Foundation for Wildlife Florida and the Federation Wildlife put up cameras in the area to track wildlife. This was because a harrowing attempt by Richard’s Gunner was captured on video.
“I’m satisfied with the work they do,” Richard said of FWF. “And this informs people that we can coexist with wildlife.”
Meredith Budd, the FWF representative in Southwest Florida, mentioned that the Wilbanks’ neighborhood was highly welcoming towards the cameras.
Sharing the Landscape is a joint effort between the two organizations, with a total of 17 cameras installed across 15 properties in the backyards of Estero.
Budd exclaimed, “I’m glad that everyone else also recognizes the importance of taking precautions and respecting wildlife. This video was shocking, but it provides a valuable learning opportunity to understand the significance of wildlife and the need to coexist with nature. Homeowners and landscapers, who live and work in the same environment as wildlife, should inherently appreciate the value of wildlife and the importance of living harmoniously with them.”
The federation regularly inspects the cameras, as Budd mentioned, and this was the initial occurrence of such an incident.
However, due to lack of funding, Budd expressed her desire to have solar power and cloud storage for the cameras. Maintaining all of them can be quite laborious, as they rely on batteries and the cameras have a limited capacity for storing photos and videos before the memory cards become full.
However, the cameras record the interaction among individuals enjoying the natural environment of their own residences and the wildlife participating in comparable behaviors.
Budd expressed, “It’s not common for us to see timestamps when we share that landscape and it becomes intriguing when we see people out there at the same time.”
It is said that it is important to know what precautions are needed to mitigate risk or conflict when humans and wild animals share the same spaces, especially in Southwest Florida.
Richard stated that for both him and Gunner, this was a story with a joyful conclusion.