Face-To-Face With An Alligator
Kiss A Gator On The Top Of The Head, Except, You May Want To Follow The Instruction Of Jay Young At Colorado Gators Reptile Park First
Jay Young was first bitten by a caiman alligator when he was five years old. His mom had told him not to put his hands in the enclosure. But of course, he had to learn the hard way.
Playing with baby alligators was the only way to learn first-hand to stay away from the eight-footers. Now, Young gets bitten by adult alligators about once a year at Colorado Gators Reptile Park, where he's been working for 21 years.
There are 300 alligators in a 10-acre enclosure at the park, including three albino 'gators (“Those are pretty rare. There's only 50 in the world,” noted Young). Bruce Almighty is their biggest rescue. He's 12.5 feet and 900 pounds. Elvis is 600 pounds. There's also a 500 pound alligator that was rescued from Hollywood, after starring in many films like Happy Gilmore. Some of the alligators are the originals, back when the park opened in 1987.
Young's parents, Erwin and Lynne, purchased the 80 acres that is now the Colorado Gators Reptile Park when Erwin learned of the geothermal water resources available in the Valley, which was perfect for growing his Tilapia, an African perch that requires warm water. Erwin had been growing the fish in Texas, but the tropical fish died in the wintertime.
“My father realized early on that the oceans were being over-fished. The wild fish were all being over-caught. The future was going to be aquaculture,” said Young. “He was passionate about growing fish for food, taking the pressure off of the wild fish.”
Erwin was ahead of his time. When he first started growing Tilapia only one percent of the world's fish were grown on farms. Last year 51 percent of fish being consumed around the world were from farms.
The Youngs purchased 100 baby alligators to act as garbage disposals, eating the dead fish and remains of filleted fish. With help from the 87 degree geothermal water, the alligators grew quickly.
“People found out we had them and they wanted to see them,” said Young. “We opened up to the public and started doing tours. Then people started dropping off pet alligators. We became an animal rescue operation and an educational place. We take big reptiles, like boas, anacondas, turtles, iguanas, monitor lizards... We've become a sanctuary for exotic reptiles, basically.”
Reptiles have always been a passion of Young's. He was always bringing home snakes and lizards, getting into trouble. While his mom actually liked the 'gators (she was the one who kept them as pets), she wasn't too fond of the snakes he would bring home. But Young was passionate about all reptiles. So after moving back to Colorado in 1996 after college, Young decided to start educating the public about not buying exotic reptiles. He was soon working at his parent’s reptile park.
Everyone who comes through the park gets a hands-on experience with a small alligator. They get to feel them, ask questions, take photographs and get a certificate of bravery for holding one. They can buy food and feed the full-grown alligators. There's a tour of the reptile rescue facility where people can get hands-on with a few snakes, lizards and tortoises. Visitors can tour the fish farm, a tropical greenhouse with a bamboo forest, and feed the fish (“Kids love this because the fish go crazy”).
There's also 40 acres of wetlands area where people can go boating, fishing and bird watching. Over 125 different species of birds have been spotted in the wetlands.
While all of these enclosures and exhibits and reptiles make the Colorado Gators Reptile Park a place unlike any other, there's one thing that really sets it apart from anywhere else in the country: Their alligator wrestling classes.
People have flown from all across the world to do it. Alligator wrestling is on many people's bucket lists. Like bungee jumping or sky diving.
One time a man flew in from Austria a few years ago. He signed up for three days of classes. Young recalled that on the second day the man was helping him catch a nine foot alligator in shallow water when something went a little wrong.
“He had seen us kiss an alligator on the top of the head. That's something you can do, as long as you do it from the top and not the side, and have all of your weight on the alligator,” said Young. “He decided to lean in and kiss the alligator on the head. But he didn't have his weight on him and the 'gator spun him around and bit him on the face.”
The man ended up with a bite on his forehead.
“And boy, was he excited,” Young exclaimed. “He gave the instructor a huge tip and headed to the hospital. He was very excited to have that scar.”
Being able to tell everyone that the scar was from wrestling a 'gator may have had something to do with it. The scar would act as a constant reminder that, yes, he had man-handled a nine foot alligator. He'd even kissed it on top of its head. Sort of. And that's the kind of experience that many people want to have at least once in their lifetime.
They have had stage four cancer patients travel across the country to wrestle alligators. They've had people recovering from traumatic brain injury make the trek, a lifelong dream they can now fulfill. Or maybe a testament to their strength, to overcoming life's hurdles.
It's a one of a kind experience that can't be had anywhere else. It's a thrill. A rush. It's an adventure.
“It's awesome,” said Young. “I can't imagine doing anything else. People say it's the best experience they've ever had. And that happens every day here. And the kids are so excited to get hands on with the little alligators and get their certificates of bravery. It's very fulfilling.”
Come for the tropical fish. Learn about aquaculture. Come for the exotic reptiles. Come for the bird watching. No matter what, the Colorado Gators Reptile Park will be a unique and exciting adventure for anyone who visits. But don't forget to wrestle a 'gator on your way out. It's a story you will be able to tell for ages. And maybe you'll get a scar with a story. If you're lucky.
Olivia Richman
A graduate of East Connecticut State University in Journalism, Olivia has written for Stonebridge Press & Antiques Marketplace among others. She enjoys writing, running and video games.
Make Sure To Stay At:
Alamosa KOA, which is near the golden ridges of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, where you can hike dunes up to 750 ft tall and see Colorado's fourth tallest mountain, 14,345-foot Blanca Peak.