Categories: U.S.

Half-mouthed alligator finds new home at Gatorland

close Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for September 15

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.

Wildlife rescuers in Florida are asking for name suggestions for a half-mouthed alligator now in their care.

The injured animal that made national headlines has found a new home at Gatorland Orlando. 

“She looks like she had a hard time,” Savannah Boan from Gatorland told FOX 35. “The trapper that actually snagged her was a gentleman named Jerry. And Jerry said he thought it might look like a propeller got her.”

The alligator avoided capture by officials for weeks after local resident Eustacia Kanter spotted her in Sanford.

CALIFORNIA COPS GIVE NARCAN TO DOG THEY SAY OVERDOSED ON FENTANYL

 

“At first, my brain couldn’t comprehend that its entire upper jaw was missing,” Kanter told FOX 35. “When I realized, I felt terrible for him and snapped as good a photo as I could get with my cell phone standing at a distance so that I could share it and try to find help.”

Kanter contacted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and an environmental conservation nonprofit in hopes they would help find and rescue the gator.

The alligator appears to be four to five years old and will be kept on a special diet while away from other animals for a while. Gatorland believes it lived in the wild without half its jaw for at least six months, likely eating snails and frogs.

The gator may have ended up in its unique physical state after encountering a boat’s engine propeller. 

“Alligators and crocodiles are amazing survivors,” Boan said about the ancient species. “They can survive almost anything.”

FLORIDA MOTHER LEAVES SON IN CAR TO GO SWIMMING AND ‘MEET SHARKS,’ POLICE SAY

Eustacia Kanter told FOX 35 she saw the alligator in Sanford, Florida, near a kayak loading area. The gator now has a new home. (Eustacia Kanter)

The unnamed gator will eventually be kept with other alligators in the park.

“She’s a little bit skinny, but she looks to be pretty healthy and feisty, and we’re going to heal her up, we’re going to have our vet take a look at her, and she’s going to be great,” Boan said.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Those with name suggestions for the unique-looking gator should chime in on the park’s social media. 

Fox News’ Adam Sabes contributed to this report. 

Share

Recent Posts

Belgium charges 8 people in European Union Parliament bribery probe

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for April 5 Fox News Flash top headlines…

1 hour ago

Bull rider, 24, trampled to death in ‘freak accident’ at rodeo event: ‘Deeply upsetting to all of us’

close Video Bull riding brings a fresh sport to NYC: Matt West Professional Bull Riders…

1 hour ago

Speaker Johnson moves on Senate’s Trump budget bill as House GOP rebels threaten to defect

House Republican leaders are rallying GOP lawmakers around a plan to enact a broad swath…

4 hours ago

UN official reappointed despite accusations of antisemitism

close Video Hillel Neuer on the UN reappointing an official accused of antisemitism UN Watch…

5 hours ago

Mississippi mortician allegedly stashed bodies inside storage unit after losing license, business: Officials

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for April 3 Fox News Flash top headlines…

6 hours ago

Dems slam Elon Musk, Melania Trump with xenophobic attacks: ‘Go back to South Africa!’

Since President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, Democrats have made xenophobic comments about…

8 hours ago