McDonald’s-Loving Gator Gets To Stay With Florida Woman

LAKELAND, FL — Christmas came early for Lakeland’s Mary Thorn and her alligator Rambo. After a lengthy back-and-forth with state wildlife officials, it’s been decided the McDonald’s-eating, ATV-riding critter should remain in Thorn’s care.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission issued Thorn a permit to keep Rambo – a nearly 6-foot gator – about two weeks ago, Thorn said. While that permit comes with some caveats that the people-loving reptile might have some trouble adjusting to, Thorn said she’s happy she doesn’t have to part ways with the alligator who has called her home his own for the past 12 years.

When she learned the news, Thorn said, “the animals knew” because of the special voice she uses when she’s happy. Her five dogs danced around while Rambo “was flipping his head back and forth.”

Rambo’s fate was cast into doubt earlier this year when FWC initially determined her residential property might not be suitable for an alligator of Rambo’s size. While she had a license to keep Rambo, her land didn’t quite measure up to the two and a half acres the state said she needed to house a critter of his size.

See also: Florida Woman Battles To Keep Beloved Gator

At the time, Thorn insisted Rambo wasn’t an ordinary alligator and didn’t require or want two and a half acres to roam. It seems the state now agrees with her. The permit calling Rambo a “pet” does trouble her though.

“I don’t really like the name personal pet,” she explained. “It gives people the wrong idea that they can do what I do. I don’t believe in keeping an animal like Rambo like a pet.”

Rambo, however, isn't a typical alligator. He has an unusual past, which led to his equally unique affinity for Thorn and people in general, she said. Thorn began caring for Rambo and his four siblings about 12 years ago after they were rescued from a home where they were made to live in a 10-gallon tank. The five alligators were kept hidden inside a dark closet, she said.

Thorn initially cared for all five alligators, but four have since died. Two died to the flu, she said; two due to sun exposure after having lived in dark conditions their entire lives.

See also: Gator comes Knocking on Florida Homeowner’s Door

It was the death of Rambo’s two siblings to sun exposure that began Thorn’s practice of clothing the reptile. He is now quite accustomed to wearing shirts and pants. He’s also been trained to do quite a few other things average gators just don’t do.

Rambo likes to give hugs, helps himself to items in the refrigerator, eats at the table and has a taste for McDonald’s hamburgers, Thorn said. He’s also potty trained, likes to swipe an occasional Butterfinger and has been known to ride an ATV or two in his day.

Rambo has also served as a species ambassador, visiting schools and charity events to educate people about alligators in Florida. That part of his life, however, has come to an end with the new permit issued by FWC, Thorn said.

The permit rules stipulate that Thorn cannot exhibit Rambo, she said.

“That was his life, too,” Thorn said. “He loved the attention when people would scratch him.”

While she’ll miss introducing Rambo to people, Thorn said it’s a small price to pay to be able to keep him.

“That’s the way it will be,” she said.

Thorn, a former professional wrestler, developed her passion for alligators at a young age. She’s been around the critters since she was 2. “My brother owned a fish hatchery,” she explained. She helped pull stray gators out of the pond and quickly developed a love for the prehistoric-looking critters.

Rambo, who turns 16 in April, is different though.

“He’s my baby,” she said.

Patch reached out to FWC to find out more about the new permit but hasn’t heard back. Other media outlets, however, have confirmed the agency’s decision in the case.

Photos courtesy of Mary Thorn