A disabled alligator with just half a mouth has been saved by a local after it was seen wandering around a residential area.
The reptile was spotted on a boat ramp.
When the person took a closer look, they realised the gator’s upper jaw was missing and became concerned, calling animal rescue for help.
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Jerry Flynn, a trapper with the Florida Wildlife Commission, was able to catch the alligator and bring it to safety.
The creature now lives at Gatorland, a theme park and wildlife reserve in Orlando, Florida, where it is cared for by Savannah Boan – who has fallen in love with the reptile.
She’s named it Jawlene – after the famous song ‘Jolene’ by American country singer, Dolly Parton.
“Jerry brought her here to us because he knew we would do anything and everything to save her,” the crocodilian enrichment coordinator, told What’s The Jam.
“It was hard to tell who or what hurt her, it was easy to see that she was underweight and not going to survive in the wild.
“Even though her injury was healed, she was unable to hunt or defend herself.
“We have been rescuing alligators for years.
“We spent months nursing her back to health with regular checkups from our veterinarian and provided her with vitamins and medication to improve her health.”
“Our team of gator experts worked hard to create a quiet place for her to relax in her new home and began teaching her how to eat and take food from us.
“She immediately stole our hearts and we are ecstatic to report that she is gaining weight and is in great health.
“Jawlene has gained about three and a half pounds since arriving at Gatorland.
“She was very skinny and lethargic when she arrived, but nowadays she’s as active and as feisty as any other alligator her size.”
It is estimated that the gator is around four to six years of age.
Since being rescued, Jawlene has been thriving, having moved in at Gatorland in September last year.
The gator now spends her days in her personal habitat with her own pool.
She also has a turtle who she has befriended, named Nellie Wafer, and they regularly spend time together.
Savannah said: “She has a safe and beautiful home with us at Gatorland and she will be with us forever.
“Jawlene would never survive on her own.
“She cannot defend herself and is unable to catch her own food.
“She spends most days swimming around in her private pool and hanging out with her turtle friend, Nellie Wafer.
“I spend a lot of time with her as well.
“We hope one day that she gets to meet the amazing Dolly Parton since she is named after her famous song Jolene!
“Dolly is an American treasure and so is little Miss Jawlene!”
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