An alligator measuring a whopping 11 feet, 3 inches turned up near the south end of Orlando's International Drive and has been safely relocated to Gatorland, where it has already picked up a new nickname. The park says its first rescue gator of the year has been dubbed "Mr. Worldwide."
Now settled into Gatorland's breeding marsh after being removed from a heavily traveled tourist area, the large reptile did not take long to stand out to staff.
Here's what to know
On Saturday, staff released the gator into the attraction's marsh with dozens of other alligators, the Orlando Sentinel reported. He arrived there through Gatorland's Global Alligator Rescue Program after the Orange County Sheriff's Office contacted experienced trappers.
Savannah Boan, Gatorland Global ambassador, said rescued alligators usually spend their first few days recovering from the strain of being captured and moved.
"Generally, they're tired and hide for a few days to rest before they jump into the swing of things here," she said.
That was not the case with Mr. Worldwide, whose namesake comes from Orlando's International Drive.
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"Mr. Worldwide, however, came in with a boldness we rarely see. He definitely wasn't shy and didn't go try and hide," Boan said.
The park puts the alligator's age at roughly 30 years, while noting that the exact age of a wild gator cannot be determined. And although he is sizable, he is not Gatorland's largest resident — that award goes to Big Kyle, who is 13 feet, 8 inches long.
More background
Boan said Florida is in its breeding season, a time when male alligators travel to find mates and, in some cases, are displaced by larger competitors.
"It is breeding season in the state of Florida, so alligators are on the move looking for mates, and some are being run out of their areas by bigger males," she said.
What's being done?
Trained responders intervened before the situation became more dangerous for the public or the animal.
After the sheriff's office reached out, experienced trappers safely captured the gator and transported him to a facility equipped to house him.
Jeff Woolfenden, a member of the trap team, said working with a wild alligator calls for patience and caution.
"These are wild animals. They're not scripted at all," he said. "It's kind of like a mama dog with puppies. They have a mind and a will of their own."
He added that rescue crews try to avoid causing harm during these operations.
"We have the equipment, we have the knowledge and the experience to try to handle these particular gators with a little bit of respect and honor," Woolfenden said.
Gatorland has also used these rescues to educate the public, including in how the animals are named. Among the recent arrivals are Homie D, Bogey and Turnpike, each named for the location where it was found.
In a Facebook comment, Boan explained the joke behind the newest arrival's name: "I know Pitbull is Mr. Worldwide, but we're saving that name for a feisty Cuban crocodile!"
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