Rescued alligator with top half of its jaw missing gets new home at Gatorland, Florida
Gatorland, a wildlife theme park in Florida, is taking in a special alligator with the top half of its jaw missing. The alligator, which is around five feet long and weighs about 50 lbs., was spotted in swampy terrain by a team of local volunteers and brought to the care center at Gatorland.
The volunteers immediately saw that the animal’s upper jaw was missing, and the lower jaw only had a few small teeth remaining. Gatorland officials believe the alligator may have been injured in a fight with another alligator.
Gatorland has promised to give the animal a new home, and it will be monitored by the park’s experienced alligator handlers. The animal will also be provided with special food and supplements to aid in its recovery. Though the alligator is missing half of its jaw and has very few teeth, it is still capable of enjoying a full life.
Gatorland’s veterinarians hope that the animal will eventually be able to capture and consume its own prey, though the official added that it will never be able to return to the wild.
As of now, the alligator has been nicknamed “Chomper” and has already made friends with many of the other alligators at Gatorland. The park is working to bring awareness to the plight of injured wildlife, and hopes Chomper will inspire others to take action and rescue animals in need.