Alligator found by staff in Michigan motel, cops say. His owner was looking for him

Ever leave a phone charger or a pair of socks behind in a motel room? It’s happened to the best of us.

But what one guest forgot in their Michigan motel room caused panic by staff, as well as a police presence.

While cleaning a room at the Pine River Motel in Cheboygan on March 14, staff members found a lurking alligator, according to the Cheboygan Police Department.

An investigation revealed the alligator had been left behind by a guest, an exotic animal handler, police said. The man was in Cheboygan with “several exotic animals” for presentations with elementary school students.

The owner had been looking for the alligator named Wally, but he was unsure when or where he lost him, according to police.

The “cooperative” motel staff allowed Wally to remain in the room until his owner could pick him up, police said.

Officers helped reunite the gator with his handler that night, ending his stay at the motel.

Cheboygan is in northern Michigan, about a 280-mile drive northwest from Detroit.

This story was originally published March 17, 2025 at 5:42 AM with the headline "Alligator found by staff in Michigan motel, cops say. His owner was looking for him."