Tina the alligator has been with the society for 18 years, but is now leaving her friends behind for a new home at the Los Angeles Zoo.
She first came to the Humane Society after a traveling wildlife exhibition closed due to permitting issues.
The arrangement was supposed to be temporary, but the society's staff adopted Tina, building a special enclosure for her with a pond and waterfall.
"She's still a wild animal," said Ricky Whitman, the society's vice president of community relations. "She does like to swim. She loves getting her back brushed with a big broom. She does enjoy her meals."
Now at 28 years old, the 100-pound 7-foot long gator will move to what the society feels will be a more enriching environment at the zoo.
"She's been a very special resident for us," Whitman said. "It's bittersweet seeing her go, but it's time for her to move on."
Plus she'll get some company.
Remember Reggie, the alligator from Lake Machado in Harbor City? He famously eluded capture for two years before ending up at the LA Zoo, only to escape from his enclosure and be captured again.
The zoo captured Reggie in 2007 in the murky Harbor Regional Park’s Lake Machado. The alligator, who evaded capture for nearly two years and drew international coverage, was reportedly dumped in the park after getting too big for his former owner.
Reggie has become a bit of an L.A. Zoo favorite, according to spokeswoman April Spurlock.
The hope is that Reggie and Tina will bond.
“It’s kind of up to them how they’ll get along,” she said.
Alligators are known to be picky about who they share space with, so the introduction period for the two reptiles will be crucial, Spurlock said. The process will begin almost immediately after Tina arrives at the Zoo on Wednesday.
At the Los Angeles Zoo, Tina will live in a Louisiana-inspired swamp with a pool, waterfall, ficus trees and plenty of shade, according to officials.
(ABC7 - Aug 9, 2016)
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