Milwaukee Postal Workers Find Live Gator Chewing Thru Box

[southerngale]

A four-foot alligator chewed its way out of a shipping carton before a postal worker tossed it into a hamper and called animal control officers.

Employees were sorting mail Friday when they noticed the alligator chewing its way out of an Express Mail box, said JoAnne Blackburn, a Postal Service spokeswoman.

Workers tried to tape the box closed, but the alligator bit it open.

"The nose ... was sticking out with its teeth hanging out," said postal employee Jennifer Hejdak. She said a co-worker picked it up by its tail and threw it in a hamper.

The alligator will remain at a shelter for a week before being shipped to a northern Illinois sanctuary, said Len Selkurt, executive director of the Milwaukee Area Domestic Animal Control. The sanctuary owner will then take it to Florida, he said.

Alligators longer than 20 inches are not allowed to be sent through the mail, and officials said the shipment from Milwaukee to Colorado was under review.

[Guest]

Alligators longer than 20 inches are not allowed to be sent through the mail, and officials said the shipment from Milwaukee to Colorado was under review.

Is that serious? LOL. I would think NO alligators are allowed to be shipped. Go figure!

[southerngale]

Yeah, me too Jenn...I was shocked by that as well.

[Lindaloo]

There was one here by the courthouse last week. It was determined the gator was about 50 years old. They trapped it and killed it.

[southerngale]

Those meanies!!

[coriolis]

Wheels turning in head: Sounds like a good prank to play on someone.

[Stormsfury]

Gives a new meaning to the words "Potentially hazardous"

The standard HAZMAT question (for those who plan to main packages with the USPS) is this...

Is there anything that is 1) Fragile 2) Liquid 3) Perishable or 4) Potential Hazardous ... this is a standard question that must be asked by every single Window Clerk (Sales and Associates Person) ...

Obviously, not everyone will adhere to that as shown in the above news story ... there are many restrictions in mailing LIVE animals, especially ALLIGATORS covered in the DMM (Domestic Mail Manual) which I do not have handy ...

SF

[Lindaloo]

Wheels turning in head: Sounds like a good prank to play on someone.

Someone did play a prank here this weekend with a baby gator. They put it in a pond behind a local business. Animal Control captured it and turned it loose in the river.

I agree SG!! The gator came right up to the trapper like it was nothing or like it wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Trust me, there are some mad folks here.