Baby Gator Release
Orphaned by Hurricane Irma, these baby alligators were given a fighting chance at survival by our naturalist program.
When Hurricane Irma left Richmond Hill on September 11, 2017, Naturalist Brittany Rigelwood discovered a clutch of alligator hatchlings whose nest was displaced by the tidal surge. All eight were rescued from the back of the Clubhouse and the five strongest hatchlings were released that same day. The three smallest hatchlings, Mulligan, Blinkin, and Irma, were temporarily adopted to be cared for at the Oyster House and Naturalist Center for 12 months—the same length of time they would naturally be under the watchful eye of the mother.
On September 1, 2018, the three strong and healthy baby gators were released in Lake Harn where they should be able to thrive. And no, they were never hand-fed by their proud adopted mom.
