FEATURED E-TEAM MEMBER: DONNY ALDARELLI, GATOR WRESTLER
Donny is one of our performers and plays the role of “Cooter” in our Gatorland commercials
DONNY ALDARELLI
Joined the E-Team: May 17th, 2007
Age: 24
Education: Gatorland!
INTERVIEW
What made you want to become a gator wrestler; was there a particular experience that helped you make this decision?
Well, I was tired of working at places that didn’t make me happy. I always had a passion for animals and as a kid catching snakes and reptiles was something I really enjoyed doing so what better than working with alligators at Gatorland. Here I really get the best of both worlds, working at a place I love and doing something I love.
What was the craziest thing that has ever happened to you at Gatorland?
One morning I went into work everyone was really bossy towards me. They were moving a really big snake enclosure, and it needed all six of the entertainers to help. When I got down to the Upclose room, (where we keep the animals we use for some of our shows), I was asked to transfer a venomous snake from one box to another. When I opened the box a squirrel popped out! It scared the heck out of me. The guys had caught one earlier that day and put it in there as a joke. We let the cute little squirrel go back into the wild but it took a while to get back my composure.
What is your favorite alligator at Gatorland and why?
Marian. She is my favorite alligator because she acts crazy every time you try to wrestle her. She spins and rolls… basically just tries to eat you!
If you had a choice to travel anywhere in the world to study animals, where would you go and what animal would you study?
I would travel to Africa to study big cats, i.e. lions, cheetahs, etc.
What is the best part of working here at Gatorland?
The best part is working with the friends that I have made in Entertainment and teaching the guest more about the animals we have at Gatorland.
Have you ever had any close calls working with alligators or any other animal here at Gatorland?
Yes, while I was training to be a wrestler I almost got bit in the face. That was a close call for sure!
What made you interested in alligators/reptiles?
Growing up around them and seeing them on T.V.
What kind of pets do you have at home?
I have a Green Anaconda, Amazon Tree Boa, Albino Burmese Python, Rat snake and a Black Throat Monitor.
Why those pets?
Well, because two of them are going to grow to be 20 feet or over (hopefully) and because I love reptiles as pets.
What kind of hobbies do you have?
I like playing Halo 3, playing pool, canoeing, finding snakes out in the woods, (don’t do this unless you really know your snakes), playing paintball and………….sleeping.
Do you have any special talents?
I can eat 7 saltine crackers in under a minute…really I can!
Do you have someone who inspired you to get in to this field?
Yes, Steve Irwin, and the great Shaun Foster, (he’s a friend and one of the other gator wrestlers here at Gatorland.)
What was your last job?
I was a cook at a local restaurant.
If there was one thing you would like for our guests to know about you, what would that be?
Well, I am probably one of the happiest guys you will ever meet. I hope I bring a little laughter into the guest lives while they are visiting us.
What is the hardest part of your job as a Gatorland Entertainer?
One thing that is hard is not laughing in the Jumparoo Show. Those guys are funny! But I would have to say the hardest thing is leaving at the end of the day.