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From Brian Potter:

Bubba The Alligator owned by Jim Nesci passed away on Saturday September 17th, 2005. For those of you from the Midwest or those of you that have been to any of the NARBC shows and have seen this amazing animal you know what kind of loss this was. Jim Nesci is one of those guys that has always loved reptiles. He didnt breed anything fancy or buy the next big thing. He just went around with an Alligator and some other herps educating in schools, stores, partys, herp shows, tv stations, radio stations.....and a ton of other places. He purchased Bubba at Rapid City Reptile Gardens in 1998 as a baby. This animal grew into a 8 1/2 foot 275 lb. "freak of nature" so to speak......if you met him you would know what I mean. He was the most gentle thing you have ever seen. He listened to Jims commands and sat on tables at events sometimes for 12 hours at a time without moving.....he went to hospitals for the make-a-wish foundation and carried little kids whos last wish was to meet Bubba. Is that not more than most of us have done???? Bubba changed attitudes of those against our industry by the 10's of thousands....who else can say that??? Bubba made people realize that not all reptiles or animals are the same....and not all keepers. Maybe thats why the Croc Hunter (Steve Irwin) called him the most amazing animal hes ever worked with. If more of us would do the things that this amazing Alligator has done for our industry and hobby we would be far better off! For some time now Bubba had been fighting an unknown problem. His blood work had been sent to several labs all coming back with normal results. Jim new better and kept looking.....and finally figured out he had a UTI (urinary tract infection) containing Sudomonis (spelling??) and E-Coli. Bubba gave up the fight this past Saturday evening. If you dont know who Jim and or Bubba are.....check out www.coldbloodedcreatures.com and see what you missed. I have known Jim for over 12 years and can say there is no one I have more respect for. He has always been the ultimate professional and worked to help our industry....with Bubba at his side. Jim has been a friend to me and many others in times of need.....Bubba has done more charity work than anyone I know and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years for many, many causes and charities. Jim is a time of need now.....not for money....but for friends....if you have a moment drop by his website or drop him an e-mail (Jimnesci@aol.com) and let him know Bubba was appreciated for what he did for so many. Maybe this will inspire some people to do some charity work or try and promote our industry the way Bubba did for the past 17 years! Im proud to have known Bubba and call Jim my best friend. Bubba......you will be missed by thousands and thousands.....

Thank you,

Brian Potter
NARBC
Chicago Reptile House
Link

Brian -

Thanks for sharing - Babbu was my sons favorite part of the show! He is stil talking about petting the alligator! And as you said Bubba did a lot for the industry - we will certainly miss him.
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi - yeah I know but my kids love the book)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.2 frogs rescued from pool skimmer

After years of doing shows where Jim and Bubba were present, I would have to say they stood out far above the rest. The first time I ever saw Bubba I didn't realize he was alive until Jim spoke to him to back up on his table!

Bubba drew non-herpers from all around. To this day and going forward, I will always have my photo of Me, Bubba and Jim in my office. There's not a meeting that goes by that I don't get a question about that photo. Bubba was the closest I have ever seen to "domestication" of a herp and the most "Pet" like. It was all too tempting to forget he was an American alligator. There will be no other like Bubba. I count myself fortunate to have experience this wonder.
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================================
Support your local herp society
www.chicagoherp.org

Wow, Deb and I are both in shock. We are so sorry to hear of this loss, and we are happy we were happy he could make one of his last appearances as the ring bearer at our wedding at the NARBC show in Anaheim. The bride is supposed to steal the show at a wedding, but I think Bubba was the star of our wedding He certainly made it a wedding we, nor anyone in attendance will not forget.

Here are a few of our favorite pictures of Bubba at our wedding.

Here are several more photos of Bubba from our wedding:

Bubba will be missed.

Steve and Debra Sykes
Geckos Etc.

www.geckosetc.com

http://www.geckosetc.com/htm/wedding_article.htm

I am so very sad to hear of Bubba's passing... I was privileged to have officiated at the wedding ceremony for Steve and Debra Sykes, with Bubba as the ring bearer. My condolences go out to Jim Nesci... he and Bubba were a class act together as well as a benefit to the reptile community!
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Marcia McGuiness
Golden Gate Geckos
www.goldengategeckos.com

I've wanted to meet Bubba for a long time, and I finally got my chance at the Anaheim show. It was an experience I'll never forget! It's sad to see him go.
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1.0 Albino Ball Python (Apu)
0.5 Normal Ball Pythons (Norma, Nova, Nala, Nimeesha, Nyoka)
1.1 Argentine B/W Tegus (Draco and Drucilla)
0.1 Columbian B/W Tegu (Diablo)
1.0 Black Throat Monitor (Razor)
1.0 Desert Tortoise (Tubbs) from Tortoise Rescue
1.0 Boxer (Shadow)
0.1 Feline (CK)
1.0 Memory of my Redtail Boa (Mo) which passed away after 28 years

www.ocballs.net
kvandoren@ocballs.net

Wow! I'm in shock. I just saw Bubba for the first time at the Anaheim show. My condolences goes out to Bubba and family.

I feel like the odd man out here. I've never heard of Jim and Bubba, and now I feel like a real dork. My heart goes out to Jim for his loss, and society in general for the loss of such an educational pair. They were obviously a plus for the herp communities all across the country. Maybe I'll get to see him on the other side.

Quig

What a terrible loss! It's times like this when words fail to do justice to the impact animals can have on our lives. Bubba was truly an amazing gator, one that Jim obviously babied & respected. They will both remain ambassadors for the herp world, in times ahead & in retrospect. Even though we're mourning a special, special animal and hurt for the family that loved him most, Bubba will never be forgotten & lives on in the wonderment that he brought to so many, both old & young.

Thank you Jim (and family!!!) for sharing such a wonderful, beautiful alligator with the rest of us. We hope you have many bright days ahead.

Regards,

Kevin & Kara

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www.newenglandreptile.com

I echo Kevin's thoughts. My wife and I were going to have our picture taken at the Philly show with him last year, for our daughter who's a bio major. We forgot to do it, and on the way home said that we'd do it at the next opportunity. Sadly, there won't be any more opportunities. A rare animal and keeper....

I'm going to miss Bubba! Glad I had a chance to meet him. I wonder if there will ever be another gator like him.
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Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
Find out how YOU can get involved in reptile rescue...
www.forgottenfriend.org

Wish the best to all the family...
R.I.P Bubba

DragonDavy

...I met this amazing gator for the first time just a couple weeks ago at the Anaheim show...he made me the happiest girl in the world that day. I talked about him for days afterwards. It was such an amazing thing to actually get to interact with an animal like that.

I am so sad to hear about this...really, trully sad.

Wow...hard to imagine and so sorry to hear about this bad news. I am a h.s. biology teacher and I show this picture every fall when I first start school (to tell the students about me and my love for reptiles). They never believe me but I have the picture to prove it! In fact, I would give students extra credit if they went to the NARBC show and got a picture with Bubba too...Bubba really did educate many more people than anyone probably realizes.

Sorry it's so fuzzy...not sure why but oh well....the hard copy of the picture is much better but it scanned poorly.

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Sincerely, Jason
www.NortheastSnakes.com
NortheastSnakes@aol.com

My heartfelt condolances to Jim and his family. I met Bubba for the first time at NARBAC in Anaheim & saw him bear the rings at the wedding. What a neat animal! It was a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime experience to get to touch an alligator. Thank you, Bubba & Jim!
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Robins Critters
2.1 Corn snakes Snake Plissken, Jack Skellington & Abby
1.1 Hog Island Boas Harley & Isaboa
0.1 Albino Sonoran Gopher Snake Jasmine
1.3 Leopard Geckos Yoda, Geo, Tang, Ginger
0.1.1 Crested Geckos Peek & Boo
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink Indigo
0.1 Pacman Frog Buffy the Cricket Slayer
0.0.1 Sulawesi Red Toad Mr. Toad
1.1.3 Firebelly Newts Wayne Newton, Isaac Newton, Fig Newton, Olivia Newton John & Thandie Newton
1.1 Cats Gus & Mena

Bubba was truly one of the greatest and most amazing animals I have ever had the honor of meeting. I exhibited at ReptileFest in Chicago twice, both times just down the aisle from Bubba, and attended Reptile Rampage where my son got his picture taken with Bubba. We are both shocked and saddened to hear of his passing. Bubba will always have a special place in the hearts of many. He did so much for the herp world, and there will never be another like him.

Hi,

I took my girlfriend to her first reptile show in NARBC near Philadephia. She, like me were astounded at how tame Bubba was and of course we took pics with him. May he rest in peace and go to that reptile heaven where so many of our loved ones have gone to.

Johnny

I was shocked and distraught when I heard this news. My heart goes to Jim as well as those of us who know him. Jim is a wonderful man and well, those who had met Bubba had the chance to met something amazing. Over the years of working reptile education shows with Jim and Bubba, I have gone from a nervous respect, to a feeling of adoration and love for the creature known as Bubba. The respect between Jim and Bubba was always apparent. The love and caring for him shone through. In working rescue I have come to deal with many alligators (altho not for long) but none fascinated me like Bubba.

Three years ago, my fiancé (at the time) and I even discussed having Bubba be our ring bearer. But since a large part of our family would have screamed in fright and the person giving our service flat out refused, we never did it. To this day, we still wish we did.

I must admit when I read Brian's tribute to Bubba, I did shed a tear. Kinda odd for some people I am sure, but unless you met Bubba and spent time with him, you may not understand. I have spent many a reptile event just watching him take it all in. The gator was bomb proof. For those who never knew Bubba, the most amazing thing to see was Bubba giving Bubba back rides to a few kids. Children and adults alike were enthralled with him. And I count myself as one of them.

I will have a heavy heart at Tinley this year knowing he wont be there. I have attached one of the many photos I have taken over the years of Bubba. It shows Bubba and Jim doing what they did best. Educate. I do regret not having one with myself in it. I'm usually too busy during the shows to take the time.

To the Nesci Family, my love to you from the land of the green up here in Wisconsin. Thank you for sharing this amazing animal with those you did. I know how much you love Bubba and always will. May he always share a special place in the hearts of those that knew him. I'm proud to say I was one of those who did.

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Cindy
PHFaust

hfaust@pethobbyist.com" target="_blank">Email Cindy

Land of the Outcasts!

Bob and I were enjoying a relaxing walk down the streets of Europe, following the hectic but hugely successfull NARBC Anaheim 2005. We were with friends who had an international cell phone. It rang and imagine our shock when our friends hand Bob the phone.. it was Brian Potter his partner in the shows.

"Bob, Bubba died last night" What? That can't be right .. we just saw him. We all tearded up and were just stunned. We found our selves at an out door bar and raised a glass to Jim and Bubba.

There will never be another like Bubba. He was a great embassador of the reptile world. He was able to open the eyes and hearts of many inside and outside of the 'human' reptile community.

Bob & Sheri Ashley
Jim... we love you and hope your pain lessens soon. We know your infecious positive outlook on life will help you , your family and your fans in the coming months as you will inevitably go on and continue Bubba's legacy of education understanding and inspiration.
narbc

Well this is my first post in a long time. I am very sorry to here about this. I met Bubba at Tinley park and got the honor to take a picture with his big gentle head calmly resting in my lap. He was an awesome example of nature. Best wishes to Bubby and his owner who I could tell spent a lot of time with him. Bubba will be missed RIP buddy.
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"Victory is reserved for those willing to pay its price"

I had the privilage of working with Jim and Bubba this year at the NARBC show, and to say that Bubba was an amazing animal is an understatement. I had the oppotunity to get to know Bubba and Jim, and I learned that your pets can carry a part of you in their personalities, even in the reptile world. Jim's warm caring personality is portrayed in everything he does and touches which included Bubba. I want to thank Jim for giving so much of himself to this industry, and for giving us Bubba. We lost a huge personality with Bubba and our condolences go out to you and your family.

My family and I were crushed when we heard "our" beloved Bubba was gone. I know he was Jim's but he held a special place in our hearts and we will always miss him dearly. Every year we would make sure to see him at ReptileFest in Chicago and NARBC in Tinley Park and Jim and Bubba would always greet us warmly. In 2002 we were lucky enough to have Jim, Bubba and the rest of his gang for our daughter's educational birthday party and they were certainly a huge hit! Most especially Bubba! We are so sad we won't have the chance to do it again. We loved sharing this incredible alligator with our friends and family. Our hearts go out to Jim and his family for this horrible loss and hope that time can help lessen their pain. We were all so very lucky to have Bubba in our lives... And Bubba was lucky to have Jim and his family who so clearly loved and respected Bubba better than anyone could have. Bubba will always be "The King" of gators in my book. So long old friend.