BREAKING: A South Carolina woman has made headlines after catching a massive 12-foot, 597-pound alligator, just months after giving birth to her baby. Brittany Livingston, now dubbed “Gator Girl,” has captured the attention of locals and social media with her extraordinary feat.
The dramatic catch took place in September 2025, when Brittany and her husband, Matt Livingston, showcased the enormous alligator in their pickup truck, leaving onlookers astounded. Footage of the couple navigating through a West Ashley McDonald’s drive-thru with their catch has gone viral, drawing cheers and thumbs up from the community. “We had a lot of eyes on us,” Brittany stated in an interview with Live 5 News. “People were waving, giving thumbs up … even the workers at McDonald’s came outside to see it.”
Brittany’s journey to this impressive catch was not an easy one. For five years, she had applied for an alligator hunting tag through South Carolina’s lottery system, which allows only 1,400 tags to be issued each year out of more than 12,000 applications. This year, her persistence paid off as she was selected for a tag in Unit 4, covering the Pee Dee region.
“I finally had enough points this year,” Brittany explained, noting that she is currently on maternity leave after welcoming her child five months ago. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, which oversees the alligator hunting program, aims to manage the alligator population responsibly. “The goal is not to eliminate alligators,” said Jay Butfiloski, the state’s ex-alligator program coordinator. “It’s to allow some harvest, which helps manage the population and reduce nuisance issues.”
The Livingstons faced a lengthy and intense struggle with the alligator, which lasted for hours before they successfully shot it in the head at approximately 3:00 a.m. The couple’s incredible story not only highlights the challenges of wildlife management but also serves as a testament to Brittany’s dedication as a new mother and an avid hunter.
As the story continues to gain traction, many are left wondering what this means for future hunting seasons and the management of alligator populations in South Carolina. The Livingstons’ experience has sparked conversations about wildlife interactions, conservation efforts, and the thrill of the hunt.
Stay tuned for more updates on this remarkable tale as it develops, and watch for the Livingstons’ next adventure in South Carolina’s wild.
