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SALT LAKE CITY — A member of the cast of “Gator Boys” attended the Outdoor Retailer expo Thursday through Saturday and helped educate the public on the toothy reptiles.
The "Animal Planet" reality TV show first aired in 2012, but Chris Gillette said he has been working with alligators for the past 11 years. As a native of Florida, he grew up with a love of animals and worked with penguins, venomous snakes, lemurs, kangaroos and an emu. He said he developed a particular love for alligators and crocodiles.
Gillette said he enjoys working with the “Gator Boys” because of the animal rescue premise of the show. Once the animals are captured from a public area, the alligators are transported to Everglades Holiday Park, where Gillette said he works with them and does shows. He said he mainly works with the public to help educate them about the reptiles.
“It does take a unique approach and a unique mind to do these kind of things,” Gillette said. “Quite unfortunately right now, it seems we are in a culture of ignorance and the in-appreciation of life. We try to help people understand that these are not stupid animals that are a threat that need to be dealt with. TV shows are teaching kids, ‘Well, it might hurt you, so you better shoot it.’ That’s horrific.”
Along with working with the alligators on the rescues and during the Everglades Holiday Park shows, Gillette said he also does volunteer work and teaches animal education seminars at elementary schools and his alma mater, Florida International University. He said most people are instinctually inclined to fear things with teeth, and that is something he’d like to change.
“People think I’m completely crazy, but once you understand this, it makes a difference,” he said. “It’s all about perception. People have a perception that these animals are going to attack you because that’s what they do. It’s very rare for an alligator to attack someone in a predatory fashion.”
Gillette said his knowledge of the animals has minimized any injuries while working with them, but he still bears a few small scars, and he said he has had a few close calls, including being death rolled by a 300-pound alligator. He credited his survival to either being “very lucky or very skilled.” But he cautioned to never be afraid or show fear.
“Never be afraid,” he said. “I don’t care what you do — never be afraid. Fear causes irrational logic to take over.”
Gillette can be found at the ArmourLite booth at the Salt Lake City Outdoor Retailer expo until Saturday evening.
