Catching Alligators with Captain Carl

Wednesday, April 18, 2018
By Azamara

Captain Carl was in Miami on Thursday, March 27 with the Azamara Quest and sent us this fantastic story! Without further ado, here’s Captain Carl:

Wow, what an incredible day. I was invited by Nigel Marven to do some filming for his latest venture, "Cruise Ship Naturalist", with some alligators in the Everglades, 45 minutes outside the Port of Miami.

We arrived alongside early, and after guests disembarked, I joined Nigel for the drive to the Everglades Outpost Wildlife Rescue center. When we got there, we met the owner, Bob, who took us through his site and into the Alligator Enclosure. He then gave me some basic safety training on how to catch an alligator. This boiled down to holding on tightly to the tail end, and staying away from the end with the teeth in it!

Induction complete, we waded into a pool with six alligators, and he showed me how you take the alligator by the tail. Gently, then move towards the shore, again, gently, and haul it out onto the beach. His alligator was about six feet long, and incredibly impressive.


Act casual


My turn next.

In we went, masks on, and swam across the pool to "my" alligator, whose name is Casper. Casper was lying on the bottom of the pool, so I had to dive down, grab him by the tail - gently, and pull him towards the shore.


Dangerous dip


Easier said than done, Casper was not interested in going backwards, and needed to be tired out a little first. On the third attempt, I managed to haul him to the shore, very slowly, and then, when I was standing on dry land, heaved him all the way onto the beach.

Only then did I realize that Casper was eight feet long, and weighed in at 240lbs!


Catch me if you can



Team of four wrangling



By the tail


Nigel then showed me how to jump on his back, pin his head, and hold his mouth closed in order to lift his head off the ground! What an experience. This will be aired next March when Nigel has finished all his filming and editing, and I can't wait to see the end result.


Pinned at last


That said, for now, I am just glad he has left the vessel!

- Captain Carl, all limbs still attached, and a grin to outshine Casper's! Seriously, I love where we take you...


Cruises Featured in this Article

Recent Articles

Dubrovnik, Croatia at dusk
DESTINATION IMMERSION

Seven Things to do in Croatia

Croatia has seen a sort of transformation recently, one that has taken it from a hidden gem of coastal delights to one of the hottest travel destinations in Europe. What makes this small Balkan nation so appealing? It could be the brilliant sapphire waters of the Adriatic and spectacular white beaches. Or maybe it’s the medieval architecture and walled towns steeped in history begging to be uncovered. Or perhaps it’s the friendly, welcoming people and unique folk culture.

aerial shoreline view
DESTINATION IMMERSION

Highlights of the 2025 Azamara World Voyage

155 nights. 37 countries. Explore every corner of the globe on Azamara’s 2025 World Voyage. A leader in Destination Immersion® experiences, Azamara continues to bring guests to bucket-list destinations, providing immersive travel moments while delivering service excellence. 

shimmer background woman holding gift
DESTINATION IMMERSION

2022 Holiday Gift Guide for Travel Lovers

Just like every snowflake is unique, so is every individual and their approach to travel. Some people value staying connected while they travel, while the fashionista in your life might prioritize wardrobe changes. The aspiring photographer might have a carry-on filled with camera equipment, and someone drawn to wellness may need their portable workout gear on every trip!