9-foot crocodile visits U.S. Navy base in Florida

KEY WEST, Fla., Oct. 9 (UPI) -- A 9-foot, 3-inch crocodile that wandered near the entrance to a U.S. Navy base in Florida was tagged and released, officials said.

Trice Denny, spokeswoman for Naval Air Station Key West, said the large reptile was discovered around dawn Monday near a commercial gate entrance to the base, KeysNet.com reported Wednesday.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers responded to the scene and captured the crocodile, which was fitted with a tracking tag and returned to nearby waters.

"These crocs are a reality in the Keys now," FWC crocodile response coordinator Lindsey Hord said. "Removing a croc is not going to change anything; the best thing to do is figure out a way to coexist with them."