Alligator Keepers Stage 'Highly Dangerous' Nest Raids at Australian Reptile Park

Australian Reptile Park keepers undertook a “highly dangerous” alligator nest raid in the park’s alligator lagoon on December 27, they said in a press statement.

The nest-raiding process involves keepers wrangling an alligator that has hatched eggs, restraining her, and removing the eggs from the nest. Ally, a female alligator in the lagoon, had laid 18 eggs on December 27.

“The mothers are in a high maternal state and keen to guard their eggs, making them very aggressive, hence the caution taken by the staff,” Australian Reptile Park said in a statement.

Video released by Australian Reptile Park shows keepers jumping on a alligator before removing eggs from a nest.

Head Keeper at the Australian Reptile Park Daniel Rumsey said, “We do this every year and all of the keepers love getting muddy and helping save the baby alligators from what could be a potentially dangerous situation with Australia’s heat, and larger cannibalistic adult alligators”.

At the end of 2021, there were 55 adult alligators in the Australian Reptile Park’s alligator lagoon. Credit: Australian Reptile Park via Storyful