Gatorland®, the “Alligator Capital of the World,” is making history again with the first-ever Alligator Walk of Fame honoring some of the celebrity alligators that are among over 100 nuisance alligators the park has rescued from certain euthanasia in the last five years. It pays tribute in a special way to Gatorland’s groundbreaking actions in 2002 when they worked with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission to allow the park to rescue large alligators that had become dangerous to the public.
“We were the pioneers back in 2002 when Chester the American alligator was eating dogs in Tampa. We were able to change the wildlife rules to allow Gatorland to purchase large, nuisance alligators from state trappers and give them a “forever” home in our huge lakes,” explained Mark McHugh, President & CEO of Gatorland. “We are so proud to be global leaders in alligator rescues, conservation, education, and safety. Our new Alligator Walk of Fame is a fun way for our guests to see some of the “celebrity” alligators saved through our conservation programs with Gatorland Global ®.”
Other celebrity alligators featured in the Gatorland Alligator Walk of Fame include:
- Larry, rescued in the Villages in 2019 after a lot of people were feeding him and made him too comfortable with humans. All the trapper had to do was call his name and he walked up to him.
- Turnpike, found on the Florida Turnpike in 2020. He lost a leg crossing the highway.
- Bogey, found on a Florida golf course in 2020. He added new meaning to “play your ball where it lies.”
- Terminator, found in Fellsmere, Florida in 2021. He hung out at a boat ramp where people wouldn’t stop feeding him.
- Winchester, found wandering backyards in Mulberry, Fla. Trappers noticed he had been shot twice.
- Jawlene, with her missing top jaw, was found in Sanford, FL after a lady snapped a photo of her that went viral. She beat the odds of survival and is now thriving at Gatorland.
Iconic experiences you can only find at Gatorland include the Historic Gator Mouth Entrance for that one-of-a-kind selfie, the Gator Jumparoo Show, Adventure Hour Giant Alligator Feeding, Screamin’ Gator Zipline zooming over alligators and crocodiles – voted Best Zipline in the USA by AOL Travel, Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure, White Gator Marsh with albino and rare leucistic alligators, Baby Gator Marsh, Alligator Breeding Marsh Observation Tower, and Capybara Encounter on Flamingo Island.
Gatorland combines Old Florida charm with exciting experiences, exhibits, and entertainment. Originally opened as a roadside attraction in 1949, the park is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year. Today the iconic park provides affordably priced family fun featuring thousands of alligators and crocodiles, breeding marsh with observation tower, popular capybara encounter, free-flight aviary, nature walk, petting zoo, educational wildlife programs, award-winning gift shop, Florida’s best train ride, Gator Gully Splash Park, on-site restaurant, and one-of-a-kind shows including Gator Jumparoo, Alligators-Legends of the Swamp, and Up-close Encounters. Popular adventure experiences inside the park include the Screamin’ Gator Zipline, Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure, and the new Croc Rock Three-In-One Adventure.
The 125-acre award winning theme park has been voted by Orlando Weekly readers the Best Attraction That’s Not a Theme Park every year for the past 8 years since 2016, Best Wildlife Preserve 2023 by Orlando Style Magazine, and Best Hidden Gem 2023 by Watermark Magazine. In addition, the Screamin’ Gator Zipline experience has been voted “Best Zipline in the USA” by AOL Travel and “Best Zipline or Ropes Course in Orlando” by Orlando Weekly readers every year since 2019. For more Gatorland info., visit www.gatorland.com or call 800-393-JAWS.