A large alligator that suddenly appeared at a US Air Force base earlier this month has been released into the wild.
MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa announced the release on Facebook on May 16. The crocodile was transferred from the base to Gatorama Crocodile Sanctuary in Palmdale.
“Our 12ft 3in scaly friend was safely released in Gatorama and has already made some friends in his new home,” the post said. “They renamed him ‘MacDill’ in honor of his origins.”
A video posted by the base shows the giant reptile crawling out of the car and swimming into the water before disappearing completely.
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The alligator was discovered last week at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. (MacDill Air Force Base, via Facebook)
The alligator has become a local celebrity since a May 15 Facebook post by MacDill Air Force Base that showed the giant creature sitting outside a building on the base.
“Airman Allie Gator returned to duty tonight,” the base joked. “Airman Gator is in charge of MacDill’s Complaints Department and is ready to make an appointment below. Please indicate below the date and time you would like to register your complaint.”
“Just kidding. This big guy was seen near Med Group this evening,” the official added.
The post received nearly 2,500 responses. Over 250 of his Facebook users left comments and many joined in on the fun.
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MacDill Air Force Base joked that the alligators were new airmen. (MacDill Air Force Base, via Facebook)
“Who wants to tell him he’s outside the norm?” one user commented.
“Can I pet that dog?” joked another.
Residents also identified the alligator as Elvis, an alligator who reportedly appears regularly at the base.
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The crocodile disappeared into the water after being released into the sanctuary. (MacDill Air Force Base, via Facebook)
One user wrote: “I hope they didn’t exclude him. He lived a long life and deserves to live a full life.”
Another resident said: “We always see Elvis on the golf course. He has come a long way to come to the hospital area. It’s amazing.”
MacDill Air Force Base officials discovered a 12-foot-long alligator sitting on the base last week. (MacDill Air Force Base, via Facebook)
Alligators are not uncommon at MacDill Air Force Base. In April, footage was released of authorities wrestling with a crocodile that appeared on the tarmac, but it is unclear whether the crocodile is the same reptile that was recently released.
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Fox News Digital reached out to MacDill Air Force Base for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
Fox News Digital’s Greg Wenner contributed to this report.
