There’s an alligator in my pool!

Holidaymakers were treated to a close-up demonstration with one of the Dolphin Coast’s exotic inhabitants, Girly the alligator.
On Sunday afternoon Crocodile Creek’s Sean LeClus brought Girly to the Dolphin Holiday Resort for a quick swim in the pool.
People watched in amazement as LeClus and the alligator swam together before he gave a talk to help raise awareness on reptiles.
“We do these talks to encourage people to learn about these ‘mean and ugly’ reptiles,” he said.
Crocodile Creek often gets calls to rescue or remove crocodiles.
LeClus believes that swimming with Girly is a good way to show people that allegators are more than just pests or dangerous carnivores.
“Girly is not as mean as a croc so me swimming with her warms people up to the idea that these animals are our neighbours and we must respect them. She could still bite me, but I do not threaten or agitate her.”
LeClus does however warn that people should not go swimming with crocodiles as they are dangerous. Understanding that they eat fish and small game does go a long way towards removing the stigma around them.
“We are always encroaching on their habitat and that is when accidents happen.”
Girly was given to Crocodile Creek by the Boswell Circus many years ago. She is currently used in a breeding program at the park.
The 35-year-old alligator measures in at 2.8 metres. She is originally from Mississippi, America. Needless to say most people would not get in the pool with her.