An alligator got a little too close to a Walmart in Orange County, Florida and employees at the store had to lock the doors to keep it out.
The incident happened Sunday at the Apopka Walmart SuperCenter. The six-foot alligator was wandering at the front of the store and got so close that the automatic doors kept opening and closing, WKMG reported. Eventually, the employees got so nervous that it might come in that they decided to lock the doors. However, people inside continued shopping, as the store never closed.
Customers did stand outside to take photos, but no one was injured.
The Apopka Police Department was called to the store and blocked off the area, reports ABC News. “Our main concern was keeping the people safe,” officer Steven Popp told ABC.
Later, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed that the alligator was caught. After it was spotted at Walmart, it did go to a pond near the store.
Unfortunately, the alligator will have to be put down, FWC spokeswoman Karen Parker told ABC. “It looks like he has lost the fear of people, and we don’t want to take the chance of him hurting anybody,” she said.
That’s certainly not the kind of greeter Walmart wants.
image: screenshot from WKMG report