In the heart of southeast Texas, where alligators roam freely through swamps and waterways, Albert, an eleven-foot-long, 750-pound alligator, has found a new home at Gator Country Adventure Park, in Beaumont. His journey from an indoor pool in Hamburg, New York, to the largest alligator sanctuary in southeast Texas has sparked discussions about exotic pet ownership and wildlife conservation.
Founded in 2005 by Gary Saurage, with Arlie Hammonds joining later as a copartner, Gator Country is a haven for more than 450 American alligators. The park plays a crucial role in alligator conservation and education in a region that’s home to Texas’s largest alligator population. Notable residents include Big Al, believed to be around 93 years old, and Big Tex, who at nearly fourteen feet long once held the national record for the largest alligator caught alive.
Albert’s story began in August 1990, when he was purchased as a hatchling at a reptile show in Columbus, Ohio. For 34 years, he lived as a pet in Hamburg, New York, residing in a custom-built indoor pool. On March 13, the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) seized Albert, citing expired permits, public safety concerns, and worries about the alligator’s health. The story made it all the way to The New York Times, with the gator’s owner, Tony Cavallaro, telling a reporter, “I did everything by the book . . . I hope I can get him back.” …