ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Staff at a US motel were unnerved to find a live alligator hiding under the bed of one of the rooms after the guest had checked out.

The manager of the Pine River Motel in Cheboygan, Michigan, found the reptile with his nephew when the two were preparing the room for the next guest. They were particularly surprised at their discovery since alligators are not native to Michigan.

"We just went in to clean the room and when my nephew looked under the bed, he was there," said Gary the manager. "He was a real friendly ‘gator so I didn't feel scared."

The men called the police and contacted the previous guest to let him know that he had forgotten something. It emerged that the guest had been an animal-handler who had been touring schools to teach pupils about exotic animals. And when prior to checking out he was unable to find Wally - his pet of 10 years - he feared that the reptile had escaped.

The guest was delighted to discover that Wally was alive and well, and the police took plenty of pictures with the alligator while waiting for his owner to collect him.