Have you ever imagined coming across an alligator while bathing in a river? What if you went to a park while you have your free time? This is what happened to visitors to Love Park in Philadelphia, United States, when Joseph Henney took his alligator for a walk, as the videos shared on social networks.
You don’t see this every day! The video shows a girl walking an alligator on a leash in Philadelphia. ????????? Local media said WallyGator is apparently an emotional support alligator from a local reptile rescue. ???? https://t.co/TYQQVaTzJF pic.twitter.com/7AVlmTxy8h
— ABC7 eyewitness news (@ABC7) August 29, 2022
Despite being an alligator, Wally is not a wild beast, he is 1.66 meters tall and weighs 32 kilograms. He is registered as an emotional support animal.It can walk down the street like any other animal and was a support for the owner, 69, in the battle against cancer. Henney has worked with him for 30 years and told CNN that Wally “doesn’t show anger” or “aggressiveness.”
It is adorable. Sleep with me, steal my pillows and blankets. Wally is just amazing,” said Joseph Henney, saying he acquired the animal six years ago due to an “overabundance of alligators in the area.”
The story goes back to a troubled phase in Henney’s life, when he felt depressed and lonely, having “lost three family members and four lifelong friends in two weeks,” he said, quoted by The Guardian. The owner also says that the animal “feels people’s emotions and tries to comfort them”, being “famous for its hugs”.
After the improvements, it was the doctor who accompanied Joseph’s depression who helped him register the animal. More recently, the owner has started record reptile videos to post on social media and fast Wally has become a phenomenon on TikTok. Anyone who passes you on the street is “very excited and happy.” “He is the only alligator I have seen that refuses to bite. He is incomprehensible and hard to believe.”
Wally the pet alligator is going for a little swim in the river! ????
???? VIA: {TikTok} wallythealligator #alligator #alligator #wallythealligator #evergladesholidaypark #viral videos #wildlife pic.twitter.com/9nDxixaQx7
— Everglades (@everglades) July 3, 2022
In certain states it is illegal to own an alligator, which is not the case in Pennsylvania, where Henney and Wally live. For now, Joseph hopes to travel with the animal and says he doesn’t think about death, especially since alligators can live up to 80 years and the likelihood of Wally outliving the owner is high.
Source: Observadora
