Flight operations were briefly delayed by an unexpected and enormous creature at a MacDill Air Force Base in Hillsborough County, prompting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to remove it from the landing gear, according to a video uploaded on Facebook Monday.
The concerned authorities removed the 10-foot-long alligator who was taking a nap near a parked airplane wheels.
The pictures on Facebook showed at one point the giant reptile wedged between the two wheels.
The video later showed the officials from FWC, placing ropes around the alligator and forcing it away from the tarmac. After the ordeal, the base posted about its latest “Airman.”
“Our newest toothy Airman has been relocated to a more suitable environment off base,” the post read, further mentioning that the alligator was relocated to the Hillsborough River.
“They think Elvis pushed this guy away from home.”
According to the FWC website, alligators have inhabited Florida’s marshes, swamps, rivers, and lakes for many centuries, and are found in all 67 counties.
Citing possible interaction with alligators, humans are advised by the agency to never feed an alligator and keep their distance from one.
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