WINDERMERE, Fla. -- Two alligators got so close to Windermere Elementary School, teachers had to escort students around them.

Windermere police officers and trappers were on the look out for a 10-foot alligator that is near a school. Officers say the large gator has been lurking around a pond next to Windermere Elementary. Throughout the night Wednesday, three officers patrolled the area trying to see if the remaining gator took the bait around the pond.

One of the gators was caught Wednesday afternoon while trappers were trying to find the other, bigger gator.

The largest gator is 10 feet long and Windermere police said it has a bad attitude. It's mating season and that makes gators particularly aggressive. With such a short swim to Windermere Elementary (see map), no one was taking any chances.

"I've lived here 22 years and I've never seen a gator this size," said Windermere Mayor Gary Bruhn.

It was actually the gator and its mate's proximity to Windermere Elementary that brought out both the mayor and the police chief. That alone may have been enough for the city to call out trappers.

Residents spotted one of the gators Wednesday, a 10-footer, out of the pond and just feet from the same sidewalk used by elementary students.

"My lieutenant saw the gator sunning. When we got here, it ran across the street," said Windermere Police Chief Daniel Saylor.

For a moment, it looked like trappers might be able to capture the pair before school dismissed, but the 10-footer got away. Parents were notified that their kids would be diverted around the problem. They also got personal escorts from school staff to make sure no one got curious and wandered into danger.

By late Wednesday afternoon, trappers had one gator. It had to be destroyed. But by late Wednesday afternoon, the more aggressive of the two was still behind the school and feet from homes.