Big alligator rescued from I-Drive is moved to Gatorland, named Mr. Worldwide
Gatorland has taken in its first rescue alligator of the year, an animal measuring 11 feet, 3 inches and found near the south end of Orlando’s International Drive.
The staff has dubbed him Mr. Worldwide, a reference to the “International” part of I-Drive.
He was released into the attraction’s breeding marsh with dozens of other alligators Saturday.
“Generally they're tired and hide for a few days to rest before they jump into the swing of things here,” said Savannah Boan, Gatorland Global ambassador. “Mr. Worldwide, however, came in with a boldness we rarely see. He definitely wasn't shy and didn't go try and hide.”
Gatorland is home to several gators longer than 11 feet, and at least one — named Big Kyle — at 13 feet, 8 inches.
Gatorland officials say it’s impossible to know the age of alligators found in the wild, but Mr. Worldwide is estimated to be about 30 years old.
“It is breeding season in the state of Florida, so alligators are on the move looking for mates and some are being run out of there areas by bigger males,” Boan said.
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The Orange County Sheriff’s Office contacted experience trappers who delivered Mr. Worldwide to the South Orange Blossom Trail attraction as part of the Gatorland Global Alligator Rescue Program.
“These are wild animals. They’re not scripted at all,” said Jeff Woolfenden, one of the trappers involved with the capture of Mr. Worldwide. “It’s kind of like a mama dog with puppies. They they have a mind and a will of their own.”
He said they handle the reptiles as gently as they can.
“We have the equipment, we have the knowledge and the experience to try to handle these particular gators with a little bit of respect and honor,” he said.
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Recently, Gatorland has named its rescue gators after their found locations: Homie D from Home Depot, Bogey from a golf course and Turnpike from the highway, for example.
“I know Pitbull is Mr. Worldwide, but we're saving that name for a fiesty Cuban crocodile!” Boan said in the comment section of a Facebook video showing the release.
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This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 1:11 PM.