For the first time in Australian Reptile Park history, keepers risked life and limb to feed the Park’s American alligators a massive cow carcass on the bank of the Alligator Lagoon recently.
With the lagoon being home to more than 40 feisty alligators, the dangerous task had keepers’ hearts pumping and onlookers watching in astonishment.
Visitors watched on as the alligators, which are cousins of crocodiles, perform multiple death rolls many times over – sometimes at the same time on top of each other.
The carcass feed acts as enrichment as it allows the alligators to perform a naturalistic behaviour.
In the wild alligators are known to track down and feast on carrion.
If in habitat heavily populated with alligators, the massive reptiles will all feed on the same carcass.
Head of Reptiles Jake Meney said feeding the alligators a massive cow carcass was a first at the Park.
“Once we chucked the carcass in, it was crazy how quickly they swarmed onto the bank, and it wasn’t long until they were all trying to have a crack at the huge piece of meat,” he said.
“There were a few close calls, with a few female alligators darting onto the bank to protect their nests that were right next to us.
“Our female alligators are still in breeding season, so entering their environment can be extremely dangerous, especially when food is involved.”
Alligators are found in the swamps and bayous of south-eastern USA.
Wetland clearance and polluted drains and water are the main threats to alligators.
They are also shot by humans quite frequently because they are seen as a danger; however, alligators are much more timid than crocodiles.
Males are much larger than females, reaching over five metres in length.
The Australian Reptile Park has the largest population of American alligators living in Australia and visitors can catch them being fed at 12:30pm during the weekends or book an Alligator Feeding encounter where they can feed the giant alligators themselves.
More information at https://www.reptilepark.com.au/experiences/animal-encounters/.
Source:
Media release, Jan 27
Australian Reptile Park