At MacDill Air Force Base, a sizable alligator, measuring 10 feet in length, caused a brief suspension of flight operations. The unexpected visitor was discovered napping by the tires of a parked aircraft. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was summoned to intervene and safely remove the reptile.
Pictures captured on Facebook revealed the massive reptile lodged between two wheels. Later footage depicted FWC officials restraining the alligator with ropes and guiding it away from the tarmac.
Following the incident, the base celebrated its newest “Airman” in a social media post. The post stated that the alligator had been relocated to a more suitable habitat outside the base, specifically the Hillsborough River. The post also humorously speculated, “They believe Elvis pushed this guy away from home.”
According to the FWC’s website, alligators have been inhabitants of Florida’s wetlands, including swamps, rivers, and lakes, for numerous centuries. They can be found in every one of the state’s 67 counties. The FWC advises people to avoid feeding alligators and to maintain a safe distance from them due to the potential for interaction.
