Though one might assume that alligators get nothing but the royal treatment down in the magical land of opportunity known as Florida, one woman and her human-esque pet gator are sadly learning otherwise. Mary Thorn, proud owner of a 15-year-old gator named Rambo, is now battling Florida Fish and Wildlife authorities to keep her beloved friend. Rambo recently achieved a new length of six feet and is now legally required to have 2.5 acres of land of his own, the Associated Pressreports.
"Everyone will tell you that I treat that animal like a baby," Thorn told the Orlando Sentinelon Tuesday of her trained companion. "He doesn’t do anything a normal gator does." Thorn is right. Instead of partaking in the usual gator festivities, Rambo is busy having his own bedroom filled with his own clothes. Occasionally, a Lakeland local might spot Rambo cruising around on the back of a motorcycle. When he’s not busy living the Floridian dream, Rambo also visits schools and charity events to show them what it’s like being the dopest reptile in town.
Rambo has remained a licensed resident for more than a decade, though his current length problem leaves him in a bit of a legal pickle. According to Thorn, the 125-pound gator couldn’t even use the 2.5 acres required by law because he has a sensitivity to sunlight due to being raised using a "filtered light environment." According to local officials, Thorn and Rambo's case is still under investigation. Thorn, however, is already feeling the pressure. "Without him, I don't feel like even wanting to go on," Thorn told the Sentinel.
Let Rambo live in peace!