Large gator found in Florida school

NAPLES, Fla., Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Officials at a Florida elementary school said a 7-foot alligator that wandered into the school was safely removed before children arrived.

Naples police said they received a call about a large alligator in Lake Park Elementary School at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday and a trapper from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was sent to remove it, the Naples Daily News reported Wednesday.

"The trapper arrived very quickly and was able secure the alligator before any children arrived," Lake Park Elementary Principal Tamie Stewart said. "Everyone was safe. We were most appreciative of everyone's help."

Naples police spokesman Mike Herman said an exact measurement of the reptile was not taken, but it was estimated at 7 to 8 feet long.

Officer Jorge Pino, a spokesman for the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, said alligators measuring longer than 4 feet are usually euthanized by authorities.

"If the gator is smaller than 4 feet its relocated," Pino said. "Nine times out of 10, the gators that are going to be roaming around the street are the bigger gators."