SJSO, FWC work together to safely remove gator from pond near school

An alligator has safely been removed from the area of a St. Johns County school.

The alligator, which was 6 feet, 10 ½ inches long, was found Monday morning, trying to wiggle its way into Palm Valley Academy.

Sky Action News Jax captured the pond where the gator was found. If you press "play" above, it’ll help give you a better idea of the size of the pond and how close it was to the school.

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office worked with FWC to safely remove the gator.

On Monday afternoon, Action News Jax learned from FWC that the alligator was put down.

The sheriff's office told Action News Jax they're not sure how long the gator was there.

While that is a pretty sizable gator, the Sheriff’s Office says no one was hurt.

Action News Jax reporter Courtney Cole spoke to some second-grade students at Palm Valley Academy.

They told her they weren’t afraid of the alligator. They actually thought it was kind of cool!

“My friends were, like, running over and they were, like, I see a big alligator over there! So we all ran over there!” Harmoni Mooneyhan exclaimed.

"...and then they saw the alligator coming up, so they came and told the teacher. But then when they got back and told the teacher, the alligator started climbing through so everyone went inside!” Quinn West told Cole.

If you see an alligator, FWC wants to remind you:

• do not feed them

• keep your distance

• if you're concerned, call: 866-FWC-gator

TRENDING: 

• Woman kidnapped in Jacksonville by Orange Park man, escapes in Alabama
• Florida Blue said it is hiring 200 employees in Jacksonville who will have summers off
• eTown: Vision for local exit on 9B revealed; new Jacksonville community to have smart homes

STAY UPDATED: Download the Action News Jax app for live updates on breaking stories

Cox Media Group