A crocodile that mysteriously appeared in the remote islands of Florida's Dry Tortugas National Park 14 years ago has been relocated to the Everglades after getting too friendly with food-bearing visitors.
The Miami Herald reports park staff and Florida wildlife officials lassoed the American crocodile named Cleatus, taped its mouth shut and loaded it into a sea plane Sunday. Cleatus was released Monday in Everglades National Park.
Tortugas park manager Glenn Simpson said they took the safety of tourists and the health of the croc into consideration before moving it.
Spectators gathered to watch the reptile's removal from the national park. Among those watching was Shannon Collingsworth, who posted a video of the removal on YouTube.
Officials were puzzled when Cleatus appeared on the Dry Tortugas, 70 miles west of Key West. Simpson says he's sad to see Cleatus leave, but the coral reef was an odd home for the crocodile.
Take a look at the full video below:
