Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Yesterday afternoon while I was at work at the Madison Airport, a small plane came in to transfer two alligators to an experienced vet nearby. I was one of the people coordinating the arrival so I got a front row seat.

When the plane landed I was waiting at the taxiway in a tug and had it follow me to one of our hangars. Then I got out to marshal it into the spot I wanted it to park. Immediately I hopped back into the tug and pushed it into the hangar while my coworker closed the hangar doors.

It was 36F outside, so we figured a heated hangar was the best place to transfer cold blooded animals.

I knew these gators were coming in all week, but when the day came, I had no clue it was going to be such a big deal that news crews were going to be there as well. Interesting to watch them interview Mr. Boyko about what happened.

Here are some links to video I took, the actual news clip, and an article to find out more. He also just launched a website to help raise funds for the gators' care.

My YouTube Vids:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=JO04XHXSGc8

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv480AvsWwA

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAe-U9pP6lQ

News clip (pop up video - disable pop ups to watch)

www.wkow.com/global/video/popup/pop_playerLaunch.asp?vt1=v&clipFormat=flv&clipId1=6441353&at1=News&h1=Gator Aid&flvUri=&partnerclipid=

Article:

host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/injured-pet-alligators-make--mile-trip-to-mcfarland-vet/article_c537f716-0c06-11e1-9b75-001cc4c002e0.html

Gator Guy Website:

www.thegatorguy.com
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Aubrey Ross

www.SlipstreamSerpents.com

Is this the same state that not even 2 years ago "removed" critically endangered crocodilians from an ideal environment to place them in a worst case scenario?
Charged one of the foremost experts in the world on croc husbandry and croc vet care with animal abuse.
Then promptly killed maimed or injured half the animals they took in.
The same state flew in gators from out of state to be treated by a vet that has half the croc knowledge of Terry Cullen.
Shame on WI herpers who have'nt fought tooth and nail for Terry.
Not only an American treasure for the herp community but a WI treasure.
I appreciate people spending the time and effort to save any croc but I'm having a little trouble getting past the irony of putting Chinese Alligators, Philipine crocs, Black Caimen, Broad Souted Caimen, Acutus, Cataphractus etc etc in the hands of DOG CATCHERS and letting perfectly healthy animals perish.
NO EXCUSE for it.
A black eye for MPD, MADAC, and frankly all citizens of WI.
If your a croc guy, like me, you have nothing but disgust and disdain for the state of WI. D.C.