Reptile & Amphibian Forums

As it turns out, he had a crocodile at Neverland Ranch. I guess he shared our enthusiasm for these beautiful reptiles (enough to include them in his exotic collection anyways).

Mr. F

Years ago, when the first albino alligators were offered, I heard that one was sold to Michael Jackson. Anyone know if this is accurate and, if so, what became of it?

Tom?

i know he had a bunch of niles .. I could swear Jerry Motta got a hold of them or Jerry Motta told me the story about them ... long time ago I forget the details.

I remember some story about some odd guy that had huge niles free roaming in his house, they would pile up in his living room floor and the guy would cuddle up with them ... I dont remember if this was the Niles that came from MJ's place or not

To many stories to remeber all the details, sorry!

I knew the guy who worked for M. Jackson quite well but don't believe he had any crocs. He liked cute cuddly animals and did have Aldabra Tortoises I know for sure..
-----
Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

I have always heard he had 2-3 Niles. Of course you know how the rumor mill goes.
-----
CDieter
'Reason, observation, and experience; the holy trinity of science.'

I have seen a clip from an interview (twice, actually, since there is apparently no other news worth reporting this week) on the Today Show where MJ mentions "crocodiles" while talking about his animal collection.

I found a few articles, including this one that mention a single crocodile.

"At that time, the Neverland Ranch was ordered closed, and the employees had been asked to leave. Michael Jackson was ordered to pay the fines and pay the employees their back wages before 2,600 acre (1,100 hectare) Neverland Ranch estate could be re-opened to the public. As the ranch is home to such exotic animals as tigers, a crocodile, giraffes, snakes and even orangutans, local animal welfare officials had been caring for the animals."

Full article below

And another citing the New York Post that claims guards tossed live rabbits into a "crocodile pit" at Neverland.

http://popdirt.com/were-michael-jacksons-neverland-pets-a-lure-for-kids/45734/

.

Jackson Closes Neverland Ranch

I had the first albino Alligators and they went to Alligator Adventure in South Carolina and NOT M. Jackson....
-----
Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

Greetings All,

A few years ago Dr. Brady Barr (National Geographic) contacted me saying Michael Jackson had a 5-6 foot nile crocodile at his ranch he needed to place in good hands.

The placement was arranged through California Fish & Wildlife.

Jerry Motta and I accepted the nile crocodile which came crated via the airport into Florida from California.

The crocodile was a pretty east african animal, which is still housed in a nice pond down in Florida. We named this croc "Michael Jackson".

A couple of years later we met the California F&W agent at the Daytona show.

Truly,

Paul Bodnar
Crocodile Wildlife Conservationist

Nice to hear a first hand account of MJ's crocodile. Maybe I would have had more to talk about with MJ than one would realize.