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Zoo news: Cool gator ready for winter
zoo courtesy gator
Above: Keepers at the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo pose for a photo in October 2016 after catching one of the alligators so it could be moved to winter quarters. The caption on Facebook reads: This afternoon zoo-keepers had to catch our two male alligators to move them to winter holding due to declining overnight temps. Ally, the smaller of the two, grew 12 inches and gained 27 pounds since May. Alvin, the older and larger gator, grew 5 inches and gained 35 pounds, making him 7 feet 5 inches long and 160 pounds. Unfortunately, now that they are in their winter house they cannot be seen by the public. We are currently fundraising to build them a new winter house that will allow visitors to view them year round! In 2017, the fundraising continues for this project. - photo by COURTESY PHOTO
Alvin the alligator did not want to be caught recently when workers at the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo attempted to move him to warmer winter quarters. So, while Allister, the other ‘gator on the pond, is in a temperature-controlled area, Alvin is still outside for zoo visitors to view.Zoo Director and Curator Sara Hamlin described it this way:“We were outsmarted by one of our alligators this year so Alvin remains on their pond. We’ve added an aerator — in addition to the continually running water on the pond — to prevent the pond from freezing.