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An alligator handling family

Alligator handler Mike Sturgill talks alligators with Minnesota tourists Mark Thorkildson, his wife Jen, and their two children, Joey, 8, and Madilyn, 7, at the Texaco alligator exhibit on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, in Eastern Collier County. David Albers/Staff

Photo by DAVID ALBERS

Alligator handler Mike Sturgill talks alligators with Minnesota tourists Mark Thorkildson, his wife Jen, and their two children, Joey, 8, and Madilyn, 7, at the Texaco alligator exhibit on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, in Eastern Collier County. David Albers/Staff

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  • Alligator handler Joan Sturgill warms up Fred, a 3-and-a-half-foot American alligator to be held by tourists from Ohio during her regular alligator show at Wooten's Alligator Park & Animal Exhibit on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, in Eastern Collier County. David Albers/Staff
  • Alligator handler Joan Sturgill pulls Charlie, 14-year-old American alligator, into view of her audience as she performs her alligator show with the 8-foot long reptile at Wooten's Alligator Park & Animal Exhibit on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, in Eastern Collier County. David Albers/Staff
  • Steve Fumi-Fiamawle, of Columbus, Ohio, gets acquainted with Fred, a 3-and-a-half-foot American Alligator, at Joan Sturgill's alligator show at Wooten's Alligator Park & Animal Exhibit on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, in Eastern Collier County. David Albers/Staff
  • Alligator handler Joan Sturgill displays the mechanics of the jaws of Charlie, a 14-year-old American alligator, during her regular alligator show at Wooten's Alligator Park & Animal Exhibit on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, in Eastern Collier County. David Albers/Staff
  • Alligator handler Mike Sturgill talks alligators with Minnesota tourists Mark Thorkildson, his wife Jen, and their two children, Joey, 8, and Madilyn, 7, at the Texaco alligator exhibit on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, in Eastern Collier County. David Albers/Staff
  • Alligator handler Mike Sturgill shoots a wide angle close-up with tourists Brett Netherton and Nancy Shimabukuro, of Columbis, S.C., at the Texaco alligator exhibit on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, in Eastern Collier County. The picture is special to Sturgill's experience because it makes Baby Bobby the alligator look much bigger in the picture. David Albers/Staff
  • Alligator handler Mike Sturgill sits with Little Leroy as they wait for visitiors at the Texaco alligator exhibit on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, in Eastern Collier County. David Albers/Staff
  • Ninety four-year-old Margie Carpenito holds Baby Bobby aboard the HarborChase of Naples activity bus during a stop at Mike Sturgill's Texaco alligator on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, in Eastern Collier County. David Albers/Staff
  • A sign leads tourists to the alligator show at Wooten's Alligator Park & Animal Exhibit on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009, in Eastern Collier County. David Albers/Staff
  • Cincinnati resident Bonnie May has her picture taken with American alligator Baby Bobby at the Texaco alligator exhibit on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, in Eastern Collier County. David Albers/Staff
  • Peggy Jordan, activity driver at HarborChase of Naples, and resident Josephine Montalbano, 97, visit with American alligator Baby Bobby at the Texaco alligator exhibit on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, in Eastern Collier County. David Albers/Staff
  • Alligator handler Mike Sturgill sits with Little Leroy as they wait for visitiors at the Texaco alligator exhibit on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, in Eastern Collier County. David Albers/Staff
  • A full-size conversion van indicates a unique experience at the Texaco alligator exhibit on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, in Eastern Collier County. David Albers/Staff

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