Fla. wildlife officer loses gator at show and tell

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. - Officials say a Florida Panhandle Fish and Wildlife officer lost a 5-foot alligator after bringing it to his daughter’s school for show and tell.

Searchers scoured a wooded area surrounding the school Friday afternoon. The alligator jumped out of the man’s vehicle Friday morning. The animal’s mouth was taped.

Fish and Wildlife Spokesman Stan Kirkland says alligators have “amazing” jumping ability and that allowed it to escape.

I have actually seen them leap gazelle-like over logs and bushes when they’re running.  They can’t run far, but for the distance that they are able to go they can move rather impressively.