The E-Team: Donny, Johnny, Chris, Kenny, Meghan, Marco and Shaun.
The Entertainment Team at Gatorland is made up of a rough and tough group of guys and gals who would rather be jumpin’ on the back of a gator or handling a python than sittin’ in a nice safe building somewhere. They are part animal handler, part performer and part constrution worker but mostly they are all about experiencing the amazing animals we have at Gatorland.
Chris performing in the Jumparoo Show
CHRIS SEARS
Joined the E-Team: April 6th, 2007
Age: 27
Education: Trained as chef in Italy
What was your last job?
I was a chef; specializing in authentic Abruzzi style cuisine through training in Italy. I was responsible for the ordering, labor control, food cost, hiring, creating new menu and marketing ideas, and controlling the chaos that comes with every restaurant. I had managed in all three of the restaurants we owned two of which I helped open.
You came to us from the State of New York. What made you leave your job and home to come and work with reptiles at Gatorland?
I had flown down to Florida for a vacation and was looking for wildlife parks to enjoy. As I was heading back to NY my girlfriend’s mother told me about Gatorland. When I arrived home I looked up the web site and fell in love. I knew that was what I wanted to do. I went in to work the next day and gave my boss a 1 ½ year notice.
Once you decide to move here and work for Gatorland did you know you would have to become a gator wrestler?
No, I wanted to work with reptiles and found out the main people who work closely with reptiles including alligators and crocodiles were entertainers/gator wrestlers. I was definitely up for the challenge.
Tell us about what makes it fun and keeps you excited.
Wrestling gators is all about having fun. Every time you enter the arena you never know which gator you’ll wrestle and what they’ll do. I love educating people about these dinosaurs we work with and there are not many of us out there. We are the few, the brave and the crazy!
What is your favorite alligator at Gatorland and why?
It is really tough to pick a favorite gator; they all have different personalities. I would have to say my favorite gator to wrestle was Stinky. When I first started wrestling he was one of the biggest in our arena and had an attitude. Any stunt you performed on Stinky his mouth would open really wide. There is also a picture of me wrestling Stinky at the admissions booth when you enter the park.
If you had a choice to travel anywhere in the world to study animals, where would you go and what animal would you study?
If I could go to Tanzania, Africa it would be absolutely incredible! Tanzania has a vast array of terrain, beautiful landscapes, and interesting species. It has all three lakes that inhabit all the African species of cichlids, Kilimanjaro, big game, venomous snakes, and black throat monitors. My favorite pets are my black throats and there is not much information out there on this species. Their scientific name has even changed five times over the past thirty years. I would love to see these beautiful animals in their natural habitat.
Have you ever had any close calls working with alligators or any other animal here at Gatorland?
In every line of work you’ll have close calls especially having a dangerous job. I’m sure every fireman has breathed in smoke from time to time and felt the heat of the flames. Having close calls is a good thing; you walk away in one piece and learned from what you have seen. All the animals are capable of anything at anytime and the more you learn the safer you’ll be.
What made you interested in alligators/reptiles?
I have always loved reptiles since I was a child. My passion has grown intensely over the years; even while I was a chef I had a zoo in my apartment. Looking back to when I was in kindergarten, I wrote that I wanted to be an entomologist when I grow up.
What kind of pets do you have at home? Why those pets?
I don’t have nearly as many pets as I once did in NY. I have black throat monitors, bearded dragons, leopard geckos, spotted pythons, and emperor scorpions. Most pets I have acquired throughout my life have been donations or rehabilitations. People constantly buy pets they know nothing about and can’t handle them. When people have pets that get to be too much they call me.
Do you have any special talents?
I wouldn’t say this is not a special talent, but my drive and ambition. I see something I like or want to do and do it. How many times have you said “Oh that would be fun to do or I would love to have that job” and do nothing about it? Everything I’ve wanted to experience in life I’ve grabbed the bull by the horns and excelled at it.
Do you have someone who inspired you to get in to this field?
While I was growing up my brothers were always catching reptiles and insects, so it became a part of my everyday life early on. We always had tons of pets a bred most of them. Over time, Steve Irwin became an idol of mine. He was extremely passionate about wildlife and strived to educate people about conservation. He was the conservation warrior of the century.
What is the hardest part of your job as a Gatorland Entertainer?
It is funny that this is actually a job. To me, a job is something you wake up and drag yourself into day after day. I would do this everyday for free. Being from upstate NY the Florida sunshine is a lot to bare in the summer. Sitting on the back of an eight foot gator, on white sand for 1 ½ hours, with a heat index 120 is a bit of a challenge.
Shaun, just a cool guy with a snake!
SHAUN FOSTER
Joined the E-Team: Jan. 10th, 2007
Age: 27
College Major: Biology
What made you want to become a gator wrestler; was there a particular experience that helped you make this decision?
I’ve always had a love for animals and nature, particularly reptiles. When I applied for Gatorland I didn’t necessarily think about wrestling gators, I just wanted to work with reptiles!
What was the craziest thing that has ever happened to you at Gatorland?
There isn’t one particular thing, but working with the crocodiles keeps you on your toes. It can be pretty intimidating when you’re feeding them; they don’t always know the difference between the food and you.
What is your favorite alligator at Gatorland and why?
My favorite gator would have to be Marion. She was the first gator I wrestled and I love how she is always really aggressive. It’s always a great show when the gator 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?
It’s hard to pick just one place. One of the many places would be the Zapata Swamp in Cuba to study Cuban Crocodiles in their natural habitat. There are many reason why I would like to study them but the greatest reason is that they are one of the most endangered species, so they might not be around for much longer.
What is the best part of working here at Gatorland?
There are a lot of great things about this job. Working with animals that most people never even get to see is definitely awesome. The people I work with are great, I could never ask for a better boss or co-workers. Talking to our guests is another great thing about working here. People are always so amazed and interested in what we do for a living, and that always reminds me how lucky I am to have a job that I truly love.
Have you ever had any close calls working with alligators or any other animal here at Gatorland?
There was one in particular that was pretty scary, I won’t go into details, but my boss loves close calls…you don’t get hurt, and you learn from them!
What made you interested in alligators/reptiles?
I can’t give a good answer for that. I guess being born and raised in Florida had something to do with it. I’ve always loved the ocean, the woods, and nature in general. In grade school all the kids would go home and play video games, I would go play in the woods and look for snakes and turtles and any other reptile I would catch with my good friend Noah.
What kind of pets do you have at home?
Over the last couple of years I’ve had all kinds of reptiles. Right now I have a dog, two green iguanas and an African Spur-Thigh Tortoise.
Why those pets?
All of them were being put up for adoption and I’m a sucker for animals, so what can I say?!
What kind of hobbies do you have?
I would call them “passions” more than hobbies… I’ve been playing drums for about 12 years and I LOVE music. I can also play a few other instruments. I’ve been in and out of martial arts basically my whole life. I also love playing pool, especially when I play against Donny, (another E Team member), because I always win!!!
Do you have any special talents?
My best talent is drumming.
Do you have someone who inspired you to get in to this field?
Mother Nature and my good friend Noah. He was the person who first really got me into reptiles.
What was your last job?
I was a server at T.G.I. Friday’s for about six years. I’ll just say that I’m a lot happier working with reptiles!!!
If there was one thing you would like for our guests to know about you, what would that be?
Yes, I still have all of my fingers, all nine of them!!!
Donny getting friendly with a baby gator grunt
DONNY ALDARELLI
Joined the E-Team: May 17th, 2007
Age: 22
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.
Marco handling one of our large pythons.
MARCO ZENO
Joined the E-Team: June 12th, 2007
Age: 20
College Major: Theatre
What made you want to join the Gatorland Entertainment team? Was there a particular experience that helped you make this decision?
Because I could combine my two greatest loves: working with animals (especially reptiles) and performing.
Do you have someone who inspired you to work with reptiles?
I have always loved working with reptiles but I have had various people who inspired me along the way. The guys that taught me how to wrestle in South Florida, the late Mike “Skeet” Johns and James Pedcock and other conservationist like Steve Irwin have kept me very driven.
What was the craziest thing that has ever happened to you with wild animals?
Swimming with wild alligators in the Florida Everglades! Kids don’t try this!!!
OK, so you are a Gatorland Gator Wrestler. What in the world made you want to jump on the back of a gator?
My love of animals! I want people to understand more about alligators so they will want to save them. People are afraid of alligators because they don’t understand them. If they learn more about them, then maybe one day WE CAN ALL live in harmony. I also enjoy wrestling because of the deep traditions that are rooted in the Seminole Indians and the old Florida Cattle Men (Crackers).
Before coming here you wrestled for the Seminal Indians, how was that different from Gatorland wrestling?
Wrestling in South Florida is a whole different world. It’s a bit crazier and has a lot less rules and safety procedures. We did crazy stuff like putting our heads in the alligator’s mouths. Safety is much more important here at Gatorland but the wrestling is just as fun. I like Gatorland’s style because it is fun and you get to connect with the audience more and make them laugh and learn.
To graduate as a Gatorland Gator Wrestler you have to wrestle all 12 of the gators at the Wrestling Arena in two and a half hours. When you graduated what was your strategy?
I had a big dinner with lots of carbs, then had a good healthy breakfast and lots of energy drinks. Then my plan was……not to get bit!
Why is there always a back-up entertainer with you when you are wrestling?
In case something goes wrong during the show the back-up entertainer can grab a big stick and run over and wack me on the head so I won’t feel the pain! No, I’m just kidding…they are there to help in case of a gator bite.
So trust is very important! You trust your team member with your life so how do you build that trust?
Working together as a team builds a lot of trust. We work together constantly on the shows and with the animals and we are friends outside of work too.
The work you do is serious because of the danger but it is fun too. So tell me a funny story about the E-Team?
We had a party as a team on night and since I use to work in the circus I decided to do some tricks for the party. I did some juggling and fire tricks. I was breathing fire and Donny really wanted to learn so I gave him a crash course in fire breathing and made sure he was safe and …..he did it! It was a whole lot of fun.
If there was one thing you would like for our guest to know about you, what would that be?
I always love telling guest about my past as a clown for three years with Ringling Brothers and my time wrestling alligators on the Seminole reservation in South Florida.
Kenny as Bubba in the “Jumparoo Show”
KENNY DANBERRY
Joined the E-Team: July 6th, 2006
Age: 32
College Major: Zoology
You wanted to be a Gatorland Entertainer for a long time. What happened and how did you finely become a part of the team?
I first put an application in when I graduated high school. The problem was I was leaving for Marine Corps boot camp two months later. So I got no response back. When I got out of the Marines I immediately applied and unfortunately I didn’t get a call back again. I began a thirteen year career in retail, working for large home improvement stores. I finally woke up and decided the customer wasn’t always right. I was miserable and wanted to work with animals as a career. I saw an ad in the local paper saying that Gatorland was looking for entertainers and I rushed at the opportunity. It was one of the most exciting days of my life. Finally, I was one of the Gatorland staff.
Do you have someone who inspired you to get in to this field?
When I was in elementary school a gentleman named Okefenokee
Joe came to the school and showed my class all these cool reptiles. That got me interested.
What made you want to become a Gator Wrestler?
Well,………..IT’S PRETTY MUCH THE COOLEST JOB EVER! It is an absolute honor to be in the elite group of people who can call themselves gator wrestlers.
What is your favorite alligator at Gatorland and why?
Well, it’s not actually a gator. It is an American Crocodile named “Bruno”. We got real close after the gift shop fire. When I say “Close” I mean that he brushed against my leg as I was up to my chest in water in the main lake. It scared me pretty bad. Since then I love seeing that crocodile.
Gatorland Entertainers do a little bit of everything, even drive the train and that requires you to be a jack-of-all-trades. Tell us a little about that part of your job.
I try to get involved with a variety of things here at Gatorland. Besides doing shows, I write the schedules and help write the daily show schedules. I also do off-property shows for our Marketing Department. There is always something to do around the park. I love all the opportunities I’m given to learn something new.
One of the roles you play at Gatorland is Bubba in the “Jumparoo Show”. What are some of your favorite moments on stage with the gators and other performers?
I am addicted to the rush of a high jump. The closer the gator or crocodile gets to me, the better the show is for the audience. One of the best moments for me, is when a jump gets real close to my hand and the audience freaks out and gets scared for my safety. I thrive off of the crowd reaction. The more they like the show, the more I want the jumps to get higher and closer to my hand.
What was the craziest thing that has ever happened to you with wild animals?
Going back to the weeks after the gift shop fire, we were moving gators and crocodiles away from the debris area of the fire. I was wading in the water up to my chest with a pole. I was pushing the pole to the bottom of the lake looking for soft spots that might be gators. All of a sudden I felt a large animal brush against my leg and push me out of the way. That animal was “Bruno”, a thirteen foot American crocodile. I screamed to Tim Williams “The Dean of Gator Wrestling” and told him what just happened. He replied to me, “That’s great baby, you did fantastic, just don’t move!” Tim is always so calm.
What kind of pets do you have at home? Why those pets?
I have a small zoo at my house. I have 4 carpet pythons, 3 corn snakes, a savannah monitor and a Rottweiler puppy. I have always loved reptiles since the eighth grade and I have always had a snake or other reptile in my home. My first dog I got when I moved out on my own was a Rottweiler and I have loved them ever since.
What kind of hobbies do you have?
I enjoy watching movies, going to reptile shows, breeding snakes and spending time with my family and friends. I really enjoy going jet-skiing whenever I can.
Do you have any special talents?
I am pretty good at trivia games. I really retain a lot of useless information.
What was your last job?
I worked in the retail field for about thirteen years. I was an assistant manager at a home improvement warehouse. Man that was awful!
If there was one thing you would like for our guest to know about you, what would that be?
I love my job!!! I especially love the guest’s enthusiasm. The more they cheer or the more they ask me questions, the more I realize I chose a career that I am proud to be a part of and don’t ever want to leave.
Meghan performing in the ”Upclose Encounters Show”
MEGHAN PEDGETT
Joined the E-Team: May 21st, 2007
Age: 20
College Major: Biology
To begin, Meghan where are you from?
I think I’m one of the few that can actually call myself a Florida “Cracker”. I was born and raised not to far from Gatorland, in Kissimmee. I’ve been here my entire life and I am very happy here.
What made you choose Gatorland as a place to work?
I knew that I wanted to work with animals and I really wanted something close by. I used to drive by Gatorland all the time and remembered going there with my family as a child, so one day I just decided to drop in and fill out an application. It’s great looking back at pictures of me going there as a kid and pictures of me working there now as a kid at heart 
So you stated working at Gatorland as one of the Zoo Services Staff. What made you want to join the E-Team?
I wanted to try something different. I wanted to get into the shows and try working with some bigger animals. Zoo Services was great, but I just wanted more of a challenge.
You’re the only female on the E-Team. How is it working with a bunch of wacky guys?
It’s like having a bunch of big brothers. They’re messy and they rarely clean up after themselves, but I know I can count on them if I need them. They’re usually pretty good about letting me pull my own weight and hardly ever keep me from doing something just because I’m a girl.
When did you discover you wanted to work with animals?
I have always wanted to work with animals since I was little and I aspired to be a veterinarian, but I decided I couldn’t handle putting animals down or dealing with blood, so I decided to try something else with animals. The training, feeding, and entertaining aspects of my job are just what I’ve been looking for.
What are some of your favorite animals and why?
I tend to have a fascination for the odd-looking or dangerous animals. Some of my favorites are giraffes, the gentle giants; the blue ringed octopus, small and docile yet deadly; and gharials simply because their snouts make me giggle.
Now you work primarily with reptiles. What makes that interesting, fun, satisfying or exciting?
You never know what to expect. Every time we go in with the crocodiles to clean their enclosures or to feed them by hand you wonder what is going to happen. You never know what a snake might do while it’s wrapped around you; that makes it exciting and challenging.
Gatorland prides itself on animal encounters with our guest. Tell us a little about your experiences with the guest and their reactions to the animals.
Nothing is more satisfying than seeing a guest overcome their fear of an animal. Helping them hold a snake or an arachnid and watching them realize that it really isn’t so bad is a great feeling.
You perform in the “Jumparoo Show” and the “Upclose Encounters Show.” What are some of your favorite moments on stage?
I once had a lady squeeze the life out of my hand, while she was holding a tarantula. She refused to let go of my hand until the tarantula was well away from her. We’ve also had grown men run away screaming when we brought out our big python. It’s the moments like that, that really make the show.
You are beginning to train as a back-up for the Wrestling Show. What is a back-up and what kind of training do you have to do? Are you excited?
Basically, I am being trained for what to do if someone gets bit. I’ve got to be able to pull a gator up out of the water over a wall, pull them around on the sand, be able to open their mouth, and use bite ropes on the gator’s mouth. Am I excited? Absolutely; I’m using muscles I never knew I had
We always want to know about our entertainers personal animals. What kind of pets do you have at home?
Between 2 houses I have a dog, 3 cats, 2 bearded dragons, a parakeet, a beta fish, 3 turtles, and 2 corn snakes… for now!
Tell us about something we wouldn’t know about you. Are there any hidden talents, dreams or goals?
If there are any hidden talents, I haven’t found them yet. As far as dreams go, I’ve always wanted to travel the world studying and taking pictures of all kinds of animals. For now I enjoy going to the different zoos in the area to take pictures. I love reading and researching about new animals and hope to be able to work with many more of them.
Johnny wrestlin’ one of our wild gators!
JOHNNY MATOS
Joined the E-Team: July, 27th 2002 (The senior E-Team member)
Age: 32
College Major: Music Performance
What made you want to become a gator wrestler; was there a particular experience that helped you make this decision?
I was visiting family in Florida in 2002 (I was living in NJ at the time), and was told about Gatorland. I had never heard of it before so I checked it out and fell in love with the place. Once I saw the Gator Wrestlin’ show, I decided that’s what I wanted to do with my life! What was the craziest thing that has ever happened to you at Gatorland?
If I can change the word “crazy” to “cool”, I met my wife while wrestling an alligator. Almost two years later, I married her at the Gator Wrestlin’ Arena. That was very cool!
What is your favorite alligator at Gatorland and why?
His name is Tiger and he was the gator I used most when I was training; he was also the first gator to ever bite me. I love that guy!
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 sail around the Caribbean and study marine life. What is the best part of working here at Gatorland? Guest interaction? Bringing a smile to a guest’s face or getting a laugh out of a crowd is the biggest rush in the world. Knowing that guests leave at the end of the day filled with wonderful memories of things we did or said keeps me coming back for more each and every day.
Have you ever had any close calls working with alligators or any other animal here at Gatorland?
I have been bitten by alligators, non-venomous snakes and tarantulas. I’ve also been stung by scorpions, bees and wasps. All three gator bites happened during the Wrestling shows and the snake bite was from an 11 foot Burmese Python.
What made you interested in alligators/reptiles?
In NJ, where I lived for most of my life, there were no alligators. They were an exotic animal to me so when I had the chance to work with them, I jumped at it!
What kind of pets do you have at home? Why those pets?
I have a dog, a bearded dragon, three leopard geckos and two hermit crabs. My wife and I have a passion for reptiles and exotic pets. The dog was a gift from our family.
What kind of hobbies do you have?
Hobbies?? Hmmm…on my days off I come to Gatorland and watch the shows. Does that count?
Do you have any special talents?
I graduated from college with a degree in Opera. I was a Tenor and can carry a mean tune!
Do you have someone who inspired you to get in to this field?
I’d have to say the late Steve Irwin. He made this business look fun and exciting.
What was your last job?
Believe it or not, I worked in a funeral home.
If there was one thing you would like for our guests to know about you, what would that be?
I can’t single out one thing; I want the guests to know everything about me that I answered in all the questions!
What is the hardest part of your job as a Gatorland Entertainer?
Negative feedback; it upsets me anytime someone does not like what we say or do. I want EVERYONE to LOVE what we do as much as we love doing it.