Heroic Man Jumps In When Kids Birthday Party At An Alligator Exhibit Takes A Terrifying Turn
September 20, 2021

A child's birthday party at an alligator exhibit called Scales and Tails in Utah started out as fun. But things got scary pretty quickly when the creature turned on the animal handler during the demonstration. Thankfully, though, some brave folks in the crowd immediately jumped into action!
At first, all looks totally normal. The trainer explains that the ginormous reptile is not supposed to climb onto his platform unless invited to do so by its trainer. We hear one mom respond with an “Oh.” Clearly, she’s engaged and excited about what the little ones are learning.
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As the trainer finishes her introductory sentences, she opens the clear door to the alligator exhibit to begin her demonstration. She pushes back on the alligator now attempting to climb to her end of the platform, obviously without invitation, and it helps itself to her left hand that’s evidently come too close to resist.
Danger In The Alligator Exhibit
In seconds the situation becomes terrifying! Trainer and alligator do a very brief push-and-pull dance. But the trainer determines quickly that she’s now going to have to jump into the ‘gator’s space in order to free herself.
From the back of the crowd, we see a man emerge, Donnie Wiseman. He’s definitely not upfront for the program, but he bounds forward in mere seconds to help the trainer in peril.
He calls out to the trainer, “What do you want me to do?” Then, with a bit of urgency, to any staff who may be in earshot, he shouts, “We got trouble in here!” In seconds, he repeats those phrases much louder and in a manner that screams emergency. Now, the alligator completely flips the trainer over, drenching her in the process.
Our yellow-shirted hero Donnie jumps into the exhibit, mounting the alligator He then begins asking for instructions on what he needs to do. The trainer is notably calm, even with her hand fully encased in the cranky creature’s mouth. The moms quickly clear the kids from the viewing area, because the situation is no longer “G” rated.
Now, with all three clamped together in the enclosure of the alligator exhibit, another staff person approaches. He talks a bit with the trainer and then leaves the scene, presumably to gather more help or tools.
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Another male spectator has handed off his camera just as our hero in the tank has hurled his shades onto the alligator platform.
Good Samaritans Saved The Day
In seconds, the trainer’s hand escapes the alligator’s mouth, and the still-dry gentleman grabs her under the arms and pulls her from the watery cage. Thankfully, she is conscious and still able to assist her chivalrous helper plan his way out.
The alligator takes this quick-thinking dad for a lap or two around the exhibit pen, and he looks like a cowboy atop a bucking bronco. I don’t think there’s any love lost between hero and scaly scoundrel. But what’s NOT to love about a person who jumps in, decisively and unselfishly, to help another.
While the violent scene with the alligator was probably more than what little guys should see, the exhibition of bravery was exactly what they should!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Nearly 12-Foot Alligator In Texas Is Headed Right For 4-Year-Old But Her Brave Dad Isn’t Having It
“Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight.” 2 Samuel 10:12
WATCH: Hero Jumps Into Alligator Exhibit When Live Show Takes Scary Turn
Disclaimer: In the midst of this stressful rescue as the situation escalated, one curse word is exclaimed.
LISTEN: Hero Jumps In His Car And Saves 6-Year-Old From Alleged Kidnapping | American Underdog' True Story Of Christian NFL Player Kurt Warner
h/t: Godtube
Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Sydney Glenn
Hally is a freelance writer, blogger, and mental health advocate. A former school counselor, Hally works for a nonprofit that distributes tax dollars to mental health and prevention education providers that serve her county's kids and families. She's a contributor to a devotional and two essay collectives, and she shares resources and wisdom regarding parenting teens, mental health, faith, adoption, and more at https://www.hallyjwells.com where she strives to "Dig Deep and Reach High." She and her husband have three adult children and one rascally beagle pup. Hally loves travel, her book club sisters, personality tests, and a great glass of iced tea.
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