ORLANDO, FLORIDA: Rescuers at Gatorland, a 110-acre Orlando theme park founded in 1949 by Owen Godwin and privately owned by his family, have bestowed a playful, Dolly Parton-inspired name upon a jawless Florida alligator they recently took in.
The bedraggled reptile is now known as 'Jawlene', a clever nod to Dolly Parton's renowned 1973 song 'Jolene'.
The cheeky announcement comes after considering various submissions, with the name reflecting the iconic country singer's hit where she pleads with a romantic rival named Jolene not to take away her partner.
Who rescued Jawlene, the jawless Florida alligator?
In late August, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) received reports of an uncommon occurrence and played a pivotal role in the successful rescue of the alligator.
The reptile has faced challenges in feeding due to the diminished strength of its bite.
However, it is presumed to have adapted by consuming carrion, invertebrates, or less agile, smaller prey for its sustenance.
The capture operation concluded by mid-September.
Why is the Florida alligator named Jawlene?
The alligator has been under the care of authorities since its rescue.
The CEO of Gatorland, Mark McHugh, said in a video announcement on Facebook,, “We’re just a down home, southern country gem and of course, if you come visit with us, you get our warm, southern hospitality every time you come.”
“This little gator is an absolute treasure. We are so in love with her – but another American treasure is Dolly Parton,” he added.
Jawlene has made notable progress in her recovery since the rescue, regaining the ability to eat. The alligator was initially discovered in a park near Orlando, specifically in Sanford.
Recounting her astonishment after her initial encounter with Jawlene, Eustacia Kanter told Fox 35 last month, "When I realized, I felt terrible for her 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."
Her intention was to share the image in order to seek assistance for Jawlene.
Is the Florida alligator healthy?
According to Kim Titterington, a wildlife rehabilitator, the provided image of the alligator indicates a healthy body weight, with the injury having healed.
However, Titterington expressed concerns about the slim chances of the alligator's continued survival in the wild, according to People.
Speculating on the cause of the injury, Titterington suggested it could be from an altercation with another alligator, but the clean cut raises the possibility of the animal being ensnared in a hunting trap.
She also observed that the alligator may have been without a snout for an extended period, given the scarring and complete healing of the injury.
Despite the challenges, the alligator will remain in captivity. The theme park and zoo staff, while providing care for the gator, have facilitated an easier feeding process with a steady supply of food now readily available.
