Rescued Gator Missing Top Half Of Jaw Finds Home At FL's Gatorland

ORLANDO, FL — A tiny alligator missing the top half of her jaw was rescued and brought to Orlando’s Gatorland, which she’ll now call home.

The gator was rescued from a lake near Sanford, the wildlife park wrote in a Facebook post.
First seen near Wilson’s Landing, she was caught Thursday evening by trappers with Bear Warriors United, ClickOrlando.com reported.

“This little female gator lost her complete upper jaw from another gator fight or possibly from a boat propeller,” Gatorland wrote. “She had basically no chance of surviving in the wild with such a severe injury. Here at Gatorland, our dedicated team will give her lots of loving care to live out her life in Alligator Paradise.”

The staff veterinarian is observing the gator and focusing on getting her to eat.

In the wild she was living off things like snails and frogs, he park’s director, Mike Hileman, told WESH. Staff are feeding her with bite-size pieces of chicken, fish and steak, which are thrown down her throat.

"That wound that she has healed over. So she has been able to feed herself without a top jaw for some time now. That's impressive," he said.

Hileman told ClickOrlando.com, “She’s a little bit skinny right now but we’re gon’ get her all fattened up.”

Now, Gatorland is asking social media followers to help name the rescued gator.

Founded in 1949, the 110-acre theme park rescues gators and lets them live out their lives in the property’s giant lakes.

In addition to thousands of gators and crocodiles, the attraction also boasts a breeding marsh with observation tower, free-flight aviary, capybara encounter, nature walk, petting zoo, educational wildlife programs, a train ride, Gator Gully Splash Park, an on-site restaurant, the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line, the Stompin’ Gator Off-Road Adventure, and shows, including Gator Jumparoo, Alligators-Legends of the Swamp, and Up-close Encounters, according to its website.