The Australian Reptile Park has witnessed one of the most intense and dangerous rescues in its history after Ivan, Australia’s largest American alligator, narrowly survived a life-threatening medical emergency.
At an enormous 3.6 metres long, Ivan is the biggest alligator in the country and the dominant alpha of the Reptile Park’s Gator Lagoon. Earlier this year, his size and aggression saw him take control of the lagoon, asserting dominance over more than 50 other American alligators. But following the end of breeding season, a period known for violent territorial fights between males, keepers noticed something was seriously wrong.
Ivan became unusually quiet and lethargic, spending days lying motionless on the lagoon bank. He refused food and appeared heavily bloated, a deeply concerning sign for such a powerful and normally aggressive apex predator. Keepers feared the worst, suspecting a potentially fatal internal blockage, a condition alligators can suffer after ingesting foreign objects.
As Ivan’s condition rapidly deteriorated, the decision was made to call in a veterinarian. Handling a 3.6 metre alligator fighting for its life is an extremely dangerous task. A highly trained team of more than 10 keepers assembled as Operations Manager Brandon Gifford led the risky capture. Adding to the danger were the other 52 alligators in the lagoon, watching closely and capable of ambushing at any moment.
As the team moved in, it quickly became clear just how unwell Ivan was. He showed almost no reaction to being roped, something completely unheard of for such a dominant and aggressive animal. Ivan was carefully dragged onto land, where five keepers restrained him while a veterinarian administered a sedative. Even sedated, the massive alligator remained a serious threat, with the potential to thrash and cause catastrophic injuries.
A solid timber jaw chock was secured in place, and ropes were tightened as Dr. Robin from Somersby Animal Hospital began the examination. The team then performed an emergency stomach flush, an exceptionally high-risk procedure that required inserting a tube deep into Ivan’s stomach. To guide the tube correctly, Dr Robin had to place her hands inside the jaws of the giant alligator, relying entirely on the restraint system and the keepers holding their ground.
Paraffin oil was carefully poured into Ivan’s stomach to lubricate and help pass whatever was causing the blockage. When the tube was removed, it was coated in thick mucus, clear evidence of severe internal distress. Moments later, Ivan let out several loud burps as pressure began to release, offering the first sign that the procedure may have saved his life.
What followed was a tense waiting period. Over the next two weeks, keepers monitored Ivan closely, watching for any signs of improvement or further decline. Against the odds, he slowly began to recover, regaining his strength, appetite and infamous attitude.
Today, Ivan is once again ruling the Gator Lagoon as its dominant alpha. Visitors can now see him launching powerfully from the water during the Alligator Feeding Show at 12:30pm each day, a dramatic reminder of just how close Australia’s largest alligator came to death and the extraordinary risks taken by keepers to save his life.