Name The Wayward Crocodile Contest!

Read the news release below--

then enter to win

at the bottom of the page

Gatorama released the wayward croc captured in the surf off the Isle of Palms in South Carolina on Thursday, 6/12/08.  The American crocodile will be held in a pool viewable from the parks walkway for 30 days of quarantine before joining the resident colony of American crocodiles at Gatorama.

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Steve Bennett said, “ It's not clear how the croc, normally found in south Florida got to South Carolina.  There's a possibility it simply swam north”, but officials say more likely it was released by someone who kept it as a pet or it escaped from a private collection or exhibit.  It had been spotted sunning on the banks since August of last year.  Crocodiles are cold temp sensitive and have died in the cooler climates of central and northern Florida.  Charleston had a very mild winter and there was water flowing through the pond were the croc had spent the winter otherwise he probably would not have survived the South Carolina winter. 

To get to the bottom of the mystery of the crocs origins, biologist will use  DNA testing. Gatorama will remove a tail scute as a DNA sample and Florida Wildlife and Conservation Commission will pick up the sample for analysis.

After being weighed and measured a tail scute was removed from the crocodile and immediately given to a FWCC representative for DNA testing.  With a snap of its tail the croc slithered into the cool water of his new home.

Gatorama is known world wide in the industry as the leader in captive breeding of American Crocodiles. It will be raised in captivity in a natural swampy habitat, as part of a secondary breeding colony at the Gatorama facility that specializes in alligator and crocodile outreach and educational tours.

Crocodile Naming Contest:

• Gatorama is holding a contest to help name the new crocodile.  We need a “snappy name”. 
• Name should have links to South Carolina or American Crocodiles.
• Name should be one or two syllables so it’s easy to get the crocodiles attention.
• Name submissions must also include it’s meaning or the reason for the name.

Contest Rules:

• Gatorama will subjectively evaluate the name based on the above criteria.  Decision of the judges is final. 
• Enter as many  times as you wish
• Each entry must include the crocodile name, your name, mailing address, telephone number, and email address.
• You must be a resident of the US over 18 years of age. If you are under 18 years old and would like to submit a name, have a parent enter it for you in their name.
• We will announce the winner onJuly 12, 2008. At that time, we will send an email to the email address provided by the contestant.
• The winner will receive a pass for free admission to Gatorama for a family of four, a free photograph of the winner with the crocodile on the occasion of his/her visit and a free Gatorama t-shirt.