Folks walking along the beach in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, found a companion out enjoying the sun and surf: a 4-foot alligator.

Sharon Martin told The Sun News that she and a friend were taking their daily walk along the beach on Monday evening when the gator came walking out of the ocean.

They called 911 and emergency crews were dispatched. But after a short time lounging on the beach, the alligator headed back to the surf on its own.

The animal was spotted later in the evening and was eventually captured and released into a safe place.

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Lt. Gov. Burt Jones — pictured at an August rally in Peachtree City that also featured Vice President JD Vance — appears to have scored another legal victory over gubernatorial rival Attorney General Chris Carr in their battle over campaign finance issues. (Arvin Temkar/AJC 2025)

Credit: Arvin Temkar / AJC