An exhaustive internet search turned up no references to formal
alligator wrestling schools. Also, I live in the Florida Keys, and
while I hear of lots of people wrestling alligators in the wild or
encountering them in some way, I've never heard of a school for it.
Most likely, such an institution would not last long due to excessive
insurance costs to cover liability (if they have 100
alligator-wrestling students, there's going to be some hospital
bills). Also, animal-rights activists would protest any institution
attempting to profit off the "harassment" of animals.
It comes down to this: If you really want to become an alligator
wrestler, you're going to have to learn by doing. This being said,
there are ways to expedite the learning curve. First, read as much as
you can from those who have wrestled alligators before (there is no
shortage of these people).
For example, from "Alligator Wrestling," website, by Glenn Wilsey,
Sr.:
http://www.aaof.com/05.00.htm
"Tourists ask me all the time, “what is the trick to alligator
wrestling?” Well, there is no trick! Ask any alligator wrestler and
you’ll be told that the only trick to alligator wrestling is DON’T GET
BIT BY THE ALLIGATOR!
When we are alligator wrestling we are demonstrating what is really
just a traditional barehanded technique for catching alligators as the
Native Americans here in the glades have done for centuries."
After you have amassed as much knowledge of alligator wrestling as you
can from reading, watch as many videos of other people wrestling
alligators as you can.
Then, it's time to head for the field. Start by observing alligators
in their natural habitats. Note that I said "observe." Don't jump on
the first alligator you see. Every "old-timer" eventually became
comfortable enough to "wrestle" an alligator by becoming comfortable
in and familiar with the natural environment of alligators. Simply
knowing where to reliably find an alligator is an important skill, so
you'll want to spend as much time as you can out in the swamps. You
may need to procure a specialized vehicle such as an air-boar or some
type of watercraft, as well as a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Finally, start small. Your first alligator encounter involving
physical contact should be with a small individual, to allow you to
learn the fundamental skills of engaging in physical contact with an
alligator without risking death if you make a mistake. After you have
successfully wrangled several small 'gators, then move up to a medium
sized specimen. But above all, be careful! And respect the animals.
You can also learn a lot by studying the natural history of the
nearest environment to you where alligators live. Become very familiar
with whatever habitat area the animals you're seeking live in.
From "American Alligator Fact Sheet" website,
http://www.uga.edu/srel/gators.htm
"The species is still federally listed as threatened because it looks
like the American crocodile, which is endangered.
HABITAT
Although they are primarily freshwater animals, alligators will
venture into brackish salt water. Alligators live in swampy areas,
rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. On the Savannah River Site,
alligators inhabit the Savannah River, its swamp and tributaries, and
Par Pond and other reservoirs on the site."
Google Search strategy:
"alligator wrestling"
://www.google.com/search?q=alligator++wrestling&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&sa=n&oq=alligator++wrtestling,
"alligator encounters"
://www.google.com/search?q=alligator++encounters&hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1,
"alligator wrestlers"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=alligator++wrestlers,
"alligator habitats"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=alligator+habitats&btnG=Google+Search
"alligator trappers"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=alligator+trappers
Good luck! Please be careful to both yourself and the environment!
~omniscientbeing |
