(PatriotPostNews.com) – Florida authorities found themselves in an unusual situation on Monday April 23, when an alligator appeared on the runway of a United States Air Force base.
Officials from the Sunshine State’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) were brought on the scene to remove the animal that was under a plane at the Tampa MacDill Air Force Base. The almost 10-foot alligator was relaxing by the wheels of a parked airplane. Photos and videos of the incident show the animal wedged between two wheels.
Two FWC officers used ropes to secure the alligator—wrapped around its body, mouth, and tail—in an effort to carefully remove it from the tarmac. The animal reportedly resisted its replacement, evading an official trying to wrangle its mouth after removing a beach blanket from the alligator. Video footage shows one officer pulling the large animal with her entire body weight.
An April 23 Facebook post from the base described the visitor as its “newest toothy Airman” and explained that he had been “relocated” to an environment “more suitable” that was off the base.
The alligator, which was moved to the Hillsborough River, was also believed to have been wandering into unusual places like the runway as it prepares for mating season. According to FWC officials, alligators start courting early in April in preparation for the May or June mating season.
Additional reports explained how FWC suspects the animal at the Air Force base was “pushed” away from its home by a massive alligator in the area, known as Elvis. According to officials, Elvis is 12 feet long and has been spotted making his way through the region before. He was previously described as an “absolute monster” when he was caught tramping across the military base’s golf course in 2018.
The alligator was also likened to a “freaking dinosaur” at the time. The 2018 sighting of Elvis was also caught on video and attracted public attention.
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