ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Gatorland has turned an existing portion of its organization into a nonprofit to increase its reach, work to protect alligators and educate the public on how to live safely near the dangerous animals.

“Gatorland Global” was established in 2018 to foster a world that loves and respects all animals. Now, the organization is ramping up its efforts to save alligators and crocodiles by becoming a nonprofit. The organization’s mission statement is simple: Protect, conserve and educate.

“It’s been the conservation arm of Gatorland Orlando for a while now,” International Ambassador for Gatorland Global Savannah Boan explained. “But we’ve been working really hard and trying to take on new tasks and new projects. We are officially a 501(c)(3) now.”

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As a nonprofit, Gatorland Global will focus on rescuing nuisance alligators and hosting crocodilian conservation programs around the globe.

Boan regularly travels to Australia, Jamaica and Cuba to assist with research efforts and teach communities there how to coexist with these large reptiles.

“They need educational programs for schools, for little kids, for businesses, and things like that,” Boan said. “They also need to have respect for the animal and talk about crocodilian dangers.”

With nonprofit status, Gatorland Global can now apply for grants, which Boan says will help expand their reach.

“For us to have a big conservation entity called ‘Gatorland Global’ will give us more exposure that way and also allow us to maybe work in some other countries that we’re not working in right now and help some people that might need some help,” she said.

Educating the public is a major part of their work, including here in Florida. Right now, it is alligator mating season, which means the animals are more aggressive as they search for mates. Boan warns that due to drier conditions, alligators are also out looking for water, so staying alert is crucial.

“Be careful, be aware of your surroundings, as we are right now. Just do the best job you can to coexist with all the wildlife,” she advised.