Alligator on runway at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida captured, released into nearby river

TAMPA, Fla. -- A ample alligator made its mode onto the runway astatine MacDill Air Force Base successful Florida wherever it had to beryllium captured and taken distant for merchandise successful a adjacent river, officials said.

The toothy reptile was spotted Monday greeting beside the landing cogwheel of a KC-135 aerial refueling aircraft, officials astatine the basal successful Tampa posted connected Facebook.

Officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were summoned. They captured the carnal and past released it into the adjacent Hillsborough River.

According to wildlife officials, alligators go much apt to rotation into unfamiliar territory successful April arsenic they hunt for mates.