Gatorland Strives for new "Heights".
Alligators have always been an icon to people visiting Florida. Since there are very few places in the US your able to see them, tourists always thrive for a sight of these rare creatures. Its the closest thing to a Dinosaur they will see. Because of this natural curiosity, who wouldnt build a themed park dedicated to these critters? Gatorland is Florida's leading attraction when it come to Alligators. With shows and exhibits running all day everyday, there are always Gators and Florida wildlife everywhere you look.
One of their leading shows, The Gatorland Jumparoo, has recieved awards for originality. This show has handlers making Gators Jump out of the water for Chicken. Gators can get up to 10 feet out of the water using their tails to propel themselves skyward, towards the chicken. The story-line of this show has two rednecks (Bubba and Cooter) trying to get a job as a Gator Wrestler. In turn, they are each given chickens and are told to "give the crowd a show." The problem lately with this show, has been lazy gators. "They dont care if they have to work or not for their food or not." Says Gatorlands Director of Entertainment Mike Hileman, "They're simply getting lazy."
Because of this, Lead Executive Handler Mark McHugh has decided to remove some of the older gators and put in some more, young, agile, and athletic reptiles. "Jumping to grab their food is a natural behavior. They can catch birds out of the air," He says, "Jumping and grabbing a chicken barely requires any training." These gators weren't used to being around people, and will probably take a few days to get acclimated. "Its a cultural shock to them." Says McHugh.
McHugh and Hileman think that adding these new gators will give a fresh start to the show. Younger gators will be able to jump higher, and will be more willing to work since its a new scene to them. They hope that this will increase crowd participation, and leave less lull in the show.
A soft-opening is scheduled for friday the 20th, and the show is expected to be at full strength again by the first of December. The moving and processing of the gators will take just over three days, and they will have moved over 250 alligators. This process includes having three people sit on the back of one with a towel over its head. "This keeps them calm, but it can be unnerving for some, because it doesnt stop their hissing." Says McHugh. He also said that the first gator they moved was a 10 foot female, who as soon as she was released into the new preserve, stared down the handlers until they were out of sight.
Other Jumparoo modifications include a stage that extends out the center instead of the two sides to provided a 360 view for the audience. They also removed some structural situations that block or obscured guests views of the show. It also included all new characters and themes, with the backdrop of the story remaining the same. Hileman says "All the fans of [Bubba and Cooter] dont have to worry. They're still there." And the retired alligators have their own exhibits. So no need to worry about them either.
One of their leading shows, The Gatorland Jumparoo, has recieved awards for originality. This show has handlers making Gators Jump out of the water for Chicken. Gators can get up to 10 feet out of the water using their tails to propel themselves skyward, towards the chicken. The story-line of this show has two rednecks (Bubba and Cooter) trying to get a job as a Gator Wrestler. In turn, they are each given chickens and are told to "give the crowd a show." The problem lately with this show, has been lazy gators. "They dont care if they have to work or not for their food or not." Says Gatorlands Director of Entertainment Mike Hileman, "They're simply getting lazy."
Because of this, Lead Executive Handler Mark McHugh has decided to remove some of the older gators and put in some more, young, agile, and athletic reptiles. "Jumping to grab their food is a natural behavior. They can catch birds out of the air," He says, "Jumping and grabbing a chicken barely requires any training." These gators weren't used to being around people, and will probably take a few days to get acclimated. "Its a cultural shock to them." Says McHugh.
McHugh and Hileman think that adding these new gators will give a fresh start to the show. Younger gators will be able to jump higher, and will be more willing to work since its a new scene to them. They hope that this will increase crowd participation, and leave less lull in the show.
A soft-opening is scheduled for friday the 20th, and the show is expected to be at full strength again by the first of December. The moving and processing of the gators will take just over three days, and they will have moved over 250 alligators. This process includes having three people sit on the back of one with a towel over its head. "This keeps them calm, but it can be unnerving for some, because it doesnt stop their hissing." Says McHugh. He also said that the first gator they moved was a 10 foot female, who as soon as she was released into the new preserve, stared down the handlers until they were out of sight.
Other Jumparoo modifications include a stage that extends out the center instead of the two sides to provided a 360 view for the audience. They also removed some structural situations that block or obscured guests views of the show. It also included all new characters and themes, with the backdrop of the story remaining the same. Hileman says "All the fans of [Bubba and Cooter] dont have to worry. They're still there." And the retired alligators have their own exhibits. So no need to worry about them either.
posted by Travis Cannata at
8:30 AM
