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An alligator was captured and subdued, and local authorities have taped off the area.
MACON, Ga. — An alligator was found on Rocky Creek Road, near the McDonald’s parking lot on Sunday.
For at least two days, a 12-foot alligator was spotted lounging near the restaurant’s drive-thru, according to the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.
On Sunday, the situation escalated when a group of curious bystanders was seen attempting to wrangle the large reptile themselves — even duct taping its snout before law enforcement arrived.
Thankfully, no one was hurt — and neither was the gator.
Mandy Jackson, who works at the McDonald’s, said she saw the alligator multiple times throughout her shifts over the weekend.
“We have an alligator that has been here for two days,” Jackson said. “It’s not going to be the first alligator, and it’s not going to be the last. But I think the alligator is hungry… I think it’s hungry.”
While the gator didn’t make it inside for a Big Mac, it definitely drew a crowd.
“I’ve never seen one out here before,” said Larry Harris, a Macon resident. “But I’ve seen them down at the landfill — that’s why they stopped letting people go down there. They don’t want you getting too close to gators.”
On the scene, multiple Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department units responded, and the area was taped off.
The Macon-Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones posted on Facebook, urging people to stay away from the area.
“The alligator is back at McDonalds on Rocky Creek Road avoid that area!” he said.
The alligator seems to have been in that area since Saturday afternoon, according to social media posts from the community.
People pulled over to snap photos, shoot videos, and get a glimpse of the massive reptile.
But what surprised officials most wasn’t the gator — it was the crowd’s reaction.
“I have not seen a reaction like this where people are so curious they try to capture a gator themselves and put themselves in harm’s way,” said Captain Linda Howard with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. “They decide they’re going to tape the gator’s mouth and take selfies — that’s very dangerous.”
The gator was finally captured by a licensed local trapper just after 8:30 p.m. Sunday.
The animal is now safe and on its way to a private pond in Laurens County.
According to Bibb County Animal Control, alligators are relocated to Department of Natural Resources–approved areas to prevent illegal hunting or harm to the animals.
Howard also offered a reminder for future wildlife encounters.
“Call us and have the professionals remove it,” she said. “We want everyone to be safe — we don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
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