“It changed the idea of an alligator being something that is feared to something people felt more stewardship toward. “It really got the nation’s attention regarding alligator safety and changing the view of how people feel about alligators,” Lawrence said. It was a reality television series that followed two alligator trappers, Paul Bedard and Jimmy Riffle, as they captured nuisance alligators in the Florida Everglades. In the early 2010s, Lawrence was the female star of the Animal Planet show “Gator Boys,” which ran for five seasons. 1 reasons why alligators become a nuisance,” she said. … It’s very exciting, it gets people’s attention, but also we can teach them about alligator safety and really drive home why it’s so important not to feed the alligators. It’s so unique, and it’s why it gets so much attention, because it’s something people aren’t used to seeing.

“They didn’t use knives or hooks or weapons: It’s all hand-capture.

“The alligator wrestling kind of stemmed from them hand-capturing the alligators and bringing them back alive,” Lawrence said. They played an integral role in trade, and eventually, alligators began to serve a new purpose for the Seminoles - tourism and showmanship. They also were important during ceremonial practices, with the relationship between alligators and the Seminoles being one of respect. Alligator wrestling once was used practically, as the tribe caught them for their hides and meat. Those that stayed at the rescue were used for traditional Seminole alligator wrestling shows, which Lawrence said educated the public about the culture of alligator wrestling and alligator safety.Īccording to Florida Seminole Tourism, alligators and the Seminole Tribe have a longstanding history. The rescue I worked at for about six years, we would bring those alligators to different parks or different zoos and some of them would stay at the rescue.” “In the state of Florida, nuisance alligators unfortunately - because there are so many - many of them are euthanized. “That led me to volunteering at an alligator rescue, specifically for nuisance alligators,” said Lawrence, who now works in South Florida. She performed wildlife shows with tigers, lions and more. Lawrence, 33, began handling wildlife and educating the public when she was 18 years old, working as a tiger trainer at Jungle Island.

Alabama female alligator wrestler