Not that it matters that much, but that is more than a three foot gator. There is more than three feet showing in the photo. Looks like it’s probably between four and five feet. (Personal note: Years ago I helped, for one day, catch and tag alligators in the Florida Everglades. Good memories.)
You are right, it’s longer than three feet.
But - I don’t see it’s left-front leg in the photo, so....
Guessing it is hidden. Although with reporters now-a-days, it may have been a three-footed (well, three-legged) alligator. Perhaps that is why it is not out in the wild.