Alligator wrestling has been a big part of Seminole culture, and a popular sport, until the 1990s. Now, Seminole entrepreneurs hope to bring it back to its former glory, and make a fortune, in the process.
The Seminole Indians have come a long way, from living and hunting in swamp areas, to owning the Hard Rock chain of restaurants and hotels. Now they’re getting involved in a business venture closely tied to their native culture: alligator wrestling.
Richard Bowers, president of the Seminole Indian tribe of south Florida, says alligator wrestling has immense growth potential as long as there’s always going to be a part of the population who will want to see blood sports. And it doesn’t get much bloodier than going toe to toe with a reptile that could turn a human limb from limb.
Photo by ALEX QUESADA
Alligator wrestlers have ten minutes to get the alligator out of its water-hole, somehow drag it to dry land, where each shows off a series of tricks, like kissing the gators or placing their heads and hands between the reptiles’ jaws. The prize money for this sort of competition adds up to around $10,000.
Photo by ALEX QUESADA
Men with sticks watch vigilantly, in case one of the competitors is caught in a dreaded “death-roll”, by the alligators, but spectators are advised to just sit down and watch the carnage, in case anything goes wrong. After all, if an alligator wrestler gets bitten, there’s not much anyone else can do to help.
Photo by ALEX QUESADA
Photo by ALEX QUESADA
Photo by ALEX QUESADA
Photo by ALEX QUESADA
Photo by ALEX QUESADA
Photo by ALEX QUESADA
Photo by ALEX QUESADA
Photo by ALEX QUESADA
Photo by ALEX QUESADA
Photo by ALEX QUESADA
via TimesOnline
Show us the blood and guts! Of the humans, that is, not the poor alligators.
This sort of thing should be illegal. (Is it not?!)
The only problem with wishing for the gator to win is that the poor thing would probably be destroyed in an attempt to save the human, who was only getting what he deserved, anyway.
Simon is correct. “Alligator wrestling” is highly stressful for these animals, and I agree that it should be illegal, along with the “hunting” and salughter of wild alligators. Completely unneccesary.
GatorLover are you sure? With this years drought and the high number of females with young that I have seen this year… I’m guessing that we are in for a “Baby Gator Boom” in South Florida. The population may now be somewhat stable – but I’m betting that in the nexts 5-10 years the length of the Alligator hunting season will be extended and the harvest increased.
As for the stress that “wrestling” causes on the animals… they are not harmed and the real danger is to humans – where it should be!
Every time humans use animals in entertainment, the animals lose out big time. These macho morons should find some other way to show off their strength and skills. Horse racing, dog racing, whales doing tricks in swimming pools, and circus animal acts all absolutely suck for the animals. Anyone with an ounce of concern for the welfare of the animals would cheer the demise of all these ugly “sports”.