An unexpected “shopper” showed up at a Publix in South Carolina recently: an alligator that was discovered outside the store, hiding beneath some trolleys.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) dispatched officials to the scene when the gator was sighted close to the grocery store entrance.
The gator’s hiding place was blocked off by yellow caution tape and a barrier made of shopping carts, according to the footage of the animal captured on camera.
In the video, staff and customers can be seen observing the event close to the barrier. With its tail protruding at the end, the gator appears to be contentedly resting beneath the trolleys.
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An email from a SCDNR representative stated, “One of our employees responded and saw that the alligator had a pellet in its head, that it had apparently been shot by a pellet gun.”
The alligator was successfully removed from the area by a wildlife contractor. The alligator was released into state waters after receiving medical attention for its injuries.
In the event that someone finds himself in the company of an alligator, the SCDNR provided safety advice.
“If you see an alligator, stay alert and aware and do not approach it.”
“Remain aware of your surroundings, stay away from the water’s edge, and if you encounter an alligator, keep a respectful distance”
