PALMDALE, Fla. — A nearly 10-foot alligator found underneath a plane at MacDill Air Force Base in April was safely released at Gatorama Inc. in Palmdale Friday.
The gator was renamed "MacDill" by staff "to pay homage to his origins," according to the base's Facebook page. On April 22, the Tampa military base posted photos of "MacDill" lying by a plane's wheels before he was escorted off the tarmac.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) relocated the gator to "a more suitable environment" in the Hillsborough River, but "MacDill's" saga didn't end there.
He was eventually spotted again near the base's Med Group on Wednesday, May 15, and staff immediately posted to Facebook with jokes about "Airman Ally Gator."
"Airman Gator will be in charge of MacDill’s complaint department and is ready to book your appointment below," officials joked in the post. "Please list a date and time below that you would like to register your complaint."
A day later, MacDill AFB posted again, this time with a short video showing "MacDill" the gator being released.
According to the FWC, alligator sightings are commonplace in Florida, where the animal is found in all 67 counties. Considering the state's population growth and waterfront homes, human interactions with gators have increased in recent years. Plus, alligator mating season is in full swing.
"As a reminder: if there’s water, always assume there may be a gator there too," MacDill officials said on Facebook. "Keep yourself, your children, and your pets safe by keeping your distance. Gators can run quickly and have a nasty bite!"
The FWC says anyone concerned about an alligator in their area can call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286).
