ORLANDO, Fla. — The alligator with a missing top jaw now has a new name, stated Gatorland.
What You Need To Know
- The gator is eating well
- RELATED: Alligator with missing top jaw receiving care at Gatorland
People submitted names for the top-jaw-less gator and it took a while to pick one.
But Gatorland officials stated in a Facebook post they wanted a name that reflects and honor its Southern Roots, so they chose a name that is a play on words to the popular Dolly Parton song “Jolene.” So, they christen the female gator Jaw-Lene.
Officials also revealed that Jaw-Lene ate two mice on her own on Wednesday by moving her tongue around so she could swallow the rodent meal. She has already gained 0.3 grams of weight, which is good news.
Jaw-Lene is still in isolation as she recovers in her own private pool with plants in it, stated officials. They also confirmed that the veterinarian is impressed with how well Jaw-Lene is coming along.
Officials said they will hold off on any prosthetic upper jaw for her as they want her to relax and get more comfortable with her surroundings and not stress her out.
Jaw-Lene has been under the care of Gatorland since last week after she was discovered without the top part of her jaw. Officials believe she lost it either in a fight with another alligator or by a boat propeller.