A massive alligator was recently removed from MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, after it was found wandering too close to areas frequented by humans. Dubbed Alli “Tiny” Gator, the 12-foot, 4-inch reptile had to be relocated twice for encroaching into restricted zones, once even hiding in the landing gear of an aircraft.
Typically, large alligators posing risks to humans are euthanized as a safety precaution. However, in this instance, a different approach was taken. The alligator was transported 155 miles southeast to Gatorama and Crocodile Adventures in Palmdale. There, it will reside in a protected pond for the rest of its days.
Officials from Gatorama expressed admiration for the alligator’s resilience, referring to it as a “grand giant” that had been captured twice, having previously been released into the Hillsborough River. Despite being measured slightly smaller at 12 feet, 3 inches during its encounter at MacDill Air Force Base, the reptile still exceeded the average length for male alligators.
While notable in size, the alligator falls short of Florida’s state record, which stands at 14 feet, 3 1/2 inches. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the heaviest alligator caught in the state weighed a staggering 1,043 pounds.
Gatorama, a popular tourist spot, has a reputation for adopting unwanted alligators considered nuisances by state wildlife officials.
A Gatorama official emphasized that while such alligators are rarely genuine threats, public safety is paramount. Unless arrangements are made with licensed facilities, alligators deemed nuisances are typically euthanized and their meat and hide sold to offset trapping costs.