A science graduate has sparked attention after posing with massive alligators in a daring graduation photoshoot at a wildlife sanctuary – with one image even showing her appearing to kiss one of the reptiles.
Katalina Daley, 22, who is graduating from McNeese State University with a Bachelor’s in General Studies with a concentration in Natural Sciences, took part in the striking shoot at Gator Country, an alligator sanctuary and park owned by Gary and Shannon Saurage.
The shoot, which took place at the beginning of April 2026, was photographed by Laura Oglesbee and features Katalina alongside two large alligators, Big Al and Tex, as reported by Whats The Jam.
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Katalina has been working at Gator Country for the past year while completing her studies, and said the images were intended to highlight the animals she works with every day and the job she has built her studies around.
Explaining how the shoot came together, she said the idea came from her boss and immediately felt like a natural fit given her close work with the animals.
“My boss, Mrs. Shannon, actually came up with the idea to put Big Al & Tex in my graduation photos and I loved it,” she said.
Katalina is already trained to work closely with both alligators and said the interactions seen in the shoot reflect her normal day-to-day work at the sanctuary, including regular educational shows with the animals.
“I was already trained to work with the 2 alligators featured in the photos, so what you are seeing isn’t an uncommon interaction between the animals and I. We actually do educational shows with these 2 specific alligators daily,” she explained.
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However, she was keen to stress that strict safety precautions were in place throughout the photoshoot, as is standard whenever staff work in close proximity to the animals.
“However, I also had other trained professionals behind me ready to help whenever I may need, as we do any time we interact with these animals,” she said.
Despite her confidence and experience, Katalina said she never loses sight of the fact that the animals are still wild and potentially dangerous.
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“Of course, I always keep in mind that these are still wild animals at the end of the day and keep a certain sense of weariness when working hands-on with them. I think it is always important to remember what they can do,” she added.
The striking images, taken at Gator Country in April 2026, have since drawn widespread attention online.
Katalina said the response has been overwhelmingly positive, with messages coming in from across the world from people interested in her work and passionate about reptiles.
“The reaction has been more than I could have hoped for,” she said. “I have gotten DMs from people all over the world asking about the work I do and sharing their passion for reptiles. It has been awesome.”
She also emphasised that she fully understands the risks involved in working so closely with large reptiles, but believes the work is important in changing public perception of them.
“I definitely do know the risks of the work we do. I accept those risks because I believe it is worth it to be able to educate the public on these animals and show people that they are not the blood-thirsty monsters some people make them out to be.
“Alligators would much rather avoid people completely and do not interfere with us, as long as we do not interfere with them. They deserve our respect and protection,” she said.
Katalina credited photographer Laura Oglesbee for the images and thanked Gator Country, where the shoot took place.
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