ATHENS, Mich. -- For the past eight years the Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary in Athens, Michigan has invited the public to come help them move gators from their winter pens to their spring habitats.
People of all ages come to the "Spring Release" to help bathe and release the alligators into their large outdoor enclosures.
Grinning from ear to ear, Michael Tomacari, 4, and his sister Eleanor, 8, were some of the first kids to give a gator a bath.
“I thought it was pretty awesome," Eleanor told FOX 17.
Peter Critchlow, who works for the sanctuary says it's safe too.
“The alligators are secured," stated Critchlow. "Their mouths are shut with tape so they can’t do any damage. And they’re actually really friendly animals once you’ve handled them and realized that.”
If you missed out on the release over the weekend, the sanctuary will have three more "Spring Release" days; April 23, 24 and 30. It is $5 for a ticket.
For more information about tickets and events check out their website.
To read more about the sanctuary check out our feature story from 2015.
