Locals in Florida are in awe of an extraordinary sighting and fear for the safety of an alligator whose upper jaw is missing due to the sighting. A community call for assistance has been made in response to the shocking photo that Eustacia Kanter took on August 29 at Wilson’s Landing Park in Sanford, Florida.
An Unfavorable State.
A somber sight can be seen in the photo, which also shows the alligator’s fully exposed tongue and a snout that has been torn below the eyes. Kim Titterington, a wildlife rehabilitator, was shocked by the alligator’s shocking condition and called it “very startling.”. Despite having a healthy body weight and showing signs of recovery, Titterington thinks the alligator’s chances of surviving in the wild are slim.
Looking into the Root.
Titterington can only guess as to what the condition of the elusive alligator is because he hasn’t yet managed to catch it. She speculates that the injury might have been caused by another alligator or by being caught in a hunting trap. A snare might have been to blame given the damage’s clean cut.
In need of help.
Katrina Shadix acted quickly and posted the picture on Facebook to ask for assistance for the hurt alligator. In response, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced that its officers are actively looking for the alligator and are ready to care for it once it is captured in a licensed facility. But as of right now, the FWC hasn’t responded to PEOPLE’s request for comment, so the situation is unclear.
A Concerning Trend.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time an alligator in Florida has encountered difficulty. Another alligator was found earlier this year in a pond in Hillsborough County with its mouth taped shut, having endured unbearable suffering for two long months. Fortunately, it was saved and quickly transported to Palmdale’s Gatorama, a family-run alligator park, where it received prompt medical attention.
