Alligators are among the fiercest predators in the country.
But even they can get into a tight spot.
And rescuers found an alligator that survived this scary fight for her life.
Alligator missing the top part of her jaw finds a home at an animal park
A small alligator was discovered in Sanford, Florida, that was missing its upper jaw in 2023.
It was believed that the gator lost part of her jaw from either a fight or a boat strike.
The unfortunate reptile is now thriving after being relocated to an animal park in Orlando because she wasn’t going to be able to survive in the wild.
She was estimated to be four years old when a trapper caught her in 2023.
“This brave little gator made headlines around the globe when she was found in the wild here in Florida,” Gatorland international ambassador Savannah Boan said on social media. “The amazing folks at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sent legendary trapper Jerry Flynn to rescue her, and he brought her straight to us here at Gatorland Orlando.”
SO excited to witness Jawlene’s successful rehab journey 🫶
To read about more about the incredible programs that @Gatorland has in place to provide a home to injured or displaced animals, visit their website or the park if you’re ever in Orlando 🐊#KathleenMadigan… pic.twitter.com/DZStam89Oc
— Kathleen Madigan (@kathleenmadigan) April 13, 2025
Veterinarians weren’t sure if she was going to survive without her top jaw at first.
Gatorland officials named her Jawlene after the 1973 Dolly Parton hit “Jolene.”
The animal park houses alligators, crocodiles, and other animals for visitors to see.
Jawlene spends her days in a habitat she shares with a turtle.
“Thanks to our Gatorland Global Conservation Program, Jawlene now lives her best life in alligator paradise!” Boan stated. “She shares a massive habitat with her bestie — an albino red-eared slider turtle named Nelly Wafer — and they get along just fine!”
Jawlene overcomes the odds to delight audiences
Jawlene had to learn how to eat without a roof to her mouth.
Boan showed her swallowing some meat in a video.
View this post on Instagram
“Jawlene may be missing her top jaw, but she’s got a whole lot of fight, a huge fan base, and the love of her forever home right here at Gatorland!” Boan noted.
The alligator gained two pounds after arriving at the wildlife park.
She struggled to learn how to eat at first, but she slowly got the hang of it.
“Jawlene is an incredible testament to the strength and resilience of the great American alligator,” Boan said.
Boan pointed out that the special alligator has become one of the most popular animals with visitors at Gatorland.
Jawlene had to learn how to breathe again after losing the nostrils that were in the top part of her snout.
“She has a hole. Like, if you cut your nose off, you just have holes there, so she has taught herself to bring her tongue up and cover the hole before she goes underwater,” Boan explained.
Boan joked that Jawlene’s big sister should come and visit her.
“Yeah, if anyone knows Dolly Parton, tell her to come see her little sister here,” Boan stated.
Jawlene’s grit and determination helped her become a fan favorite and a symbol of the resilience of the alligator.
DeSantis Daily will keep you up-to-date on any new developments in this ongoing story.