ATHENS, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Alligators aren’t native to Michigan, but one Michigan town is home to about 200 of these reptiles.
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The Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary, located in Athens, shelters alligators, turtles, tortoises, snakes, and lizards.
“We’re basically a retirement home for these animals,” said Peter Critchlow, whose father founded the
sanctuary.
The project started in David Critchlow’s backyard, when friends donated reptiles they were no longer able to care for. Soon, David began receiving calls from pet owners he didn’t know, which led him to turn the backyard project into an official sanctuary.
Peter recalls the family adopting its first alligator when he was about 15 years old.
“Friends loved coming over,” he said. “Actually, a lot of parents were a little nervous about it. I had
friends that weren’t allowed at my house.”
Now, the Critchlow’s reptile shelter is part of a nationwide network that takes in exotic pets. This will be
these animals’ forever home. The shelter doesn’t buy, sell, trade, or breed its animals, instead opting to
care for each one on-site. Reptiles come from a variety of sources, including law enforcement, animal
control, and pet owners.
“I feel like one of the reasons we’ve been successful is because the word of mouth has been so positive,” Peter told the Battle Creek Enquirer last year. “It’s not like a zoo. It’s a sanctuary. It’s built for [the animals] so you’re seeing them being taken care of in the most natural way we can. They’re not in little stalls or cages or really on display for us. It’s more like their home and we’re just visiting.”
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Alligators do not normally survive outdoors further north than Georgia, so these hardy Michiganders stay indoors during the winter. The shelter has trained the reptiles to recognize colder temperatures and let themselves inside.
The Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary is open to the public from 11 to 4 PM every day until October. Visitors are encouraged to look out for Godzilla and Irwin, a pair of ten-foot-long, 500-pound gators.
See you later, alligator!
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