SharkCon event includes Gatorland and its conservation push

[Disney4me]

Gatorland and its conservation arm dubbed Gatorland Global will be part of the SharkCon presentations in Tampa on Saturday.

Miami-based biologist Joe Wasilewski is scheduled to speak on “Understanding the Florida Gator” at 11 a.m. at the event, held at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall.  The two-day gathering, set for Saturday and Sunday, will also feature topics such as shark management, animals in human care, sawfish conservation, megalodon insights and multiples “Jaws” sessions, including a look behind the scenes at “Jaws 3-D” (partially filmed at SeaWorld Orlando) and a 50th anniversary panel that’s scheduled to include actor Richard Dreyfuss and Jeffrey Voorhees, the now-grown child actor famous for playing Jaws victim Alex Kintner.

Also involved in conservation efforts is Gatorland Global, created in 2018 to conserve, protect and educate the public about animals. Earlier this year, Gatorland Global became an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a worldwide emphasis. Gatorland Global ambassador Savannah Boan will be on hand at SharkCon Saturday.

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Gatorland Global’s latest rescue was an alligator captured at the Villages and released at Gatorland, the South Orange Blossom Trail attraction that opened in 1949.  Trapper Robby Keszey brought in the 10-foot-long animal, which had been chasing lawn mowers and landscapers. After the July 4th weekend release, the gator was renamed Uncle Sam.  He is estimated to weigh 700 pounds. He is Gatorland’s second alligator from the Villages, following Larry, an alligator moved there in 2019.

dbevil@orlandosentinel.com

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