ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An alligator that became part of the Gatorland family more than 20 years ago has died, the park recently announced.
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Chester the alligator died Dec. 7 as a result of an intestinal blockage, Gatorland said.
The massive gator was spared euthanasia when Gatorland rescued him from Tampa in 2002 after he ate a dog.
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The park estimated he was 60 years old.
Chester was the first of hundreds of nuisance gators that have been saved from around Florida over the last two decades, park officials said.
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You might not think warmly of a scaly creature that’s over 13 feet long and weighs more than 1,000 pounds, but Gatorland said Chester was “beloved” thanks to his “unique character and personality.”
The park said many staff members had a personal relationship with the “truly remarkable” gator.
Gatorland recently posted a video as a tribute to Chester.
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Scroll below to watch the tribute video.
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