Skip to main content

Unbelievable: University Student Celebrates Her Graduation By Posing With A Massive Alligator

Unbelievable: University Student Celebrates Her Graduation By Posing With A Massive Alligator 


The daring 21-year-old's graduation ceremony will be held this coming Friday

A university student took her graduation photographs to a whole new level – by posing alongside a 13-foot alligator.

Makenzie Noland’s daring snaps have left the world stunned after the Texas A&M graduate took an unorthodox route for her commemorative photos.

The 21-year-old graduate earned her degree in wildlife and fisheries science, and has been working as an intern at the Gator County rescue centre in Beaumont, Texas since finishing classes in May.


Makenzie balances her graduation class ring on the alligator's nose

She posted the photographs on her Facebook page with the caption “Not your typical graduation picture”.

One of the photos shows Noland balancing her graduation ring on the nose of the alligator, named Big Tex, while wearing her Texas A&M sash and cap.


Noland developed a special bond with the animal after working closely with him since her first day at the animal centre.

The graduate is responsible for Big Tex’s daily feeding sessions, which often attract a large crowd, and the beast has never attempted to harm Noland.



Big Tex, seen here balancing the ring on his nose, is said to be 'a little too friendly'

Speaking to the Wichita Eagle, Noland said:  “He’s one of my best friends here. It’s something I’m super proud of.
“It took him a few weeks for him to like me.”

She added:  "I call him over, talk all sweet to him, tickle his nose, and reassure him that I'm not going to hurt him.”

The alligator was caught at Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge in Oct. 2016 after he started becoming “a little too friendly,” according to a Facebook post from the refuge.

The post claimed that Big Tex had  “lost his fear of humans” because people were feeding him, adding:  “While the animal had not aggressively attacked anyone yet, it was considered a little too close for comfort.”

Big Tex was captured and now gets to  “live the remainder of his life at Gator Country".

***
Via The Sun UK

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Court halts Rihanna shooting case for mental health review

Court halts Rihanna shooting case for mental health review ALos Angeles judge has suspended the attempted murder case against Ivanna Ortiz, the woman accused of firing 20 shots at Rihanna’s home, after finding evidence to question her mental competency, according to correspondence. Judge Shannon Cooley halted proceedings on May 20 after meeting privately with Ortiz’s public defender. A court source confirmed to Rolling Stone on May 21 that the judge found sufficient grounds to refer Ortiz to the county’s mental health court. Ortiz, who was not present in court for the ruling, will now undergo an evaluation to determine if she can understand the case against her. The decision comes a week after Judge Cooley denied a similar request, stating there was insufficient evidence at the time to override Ortiz’s demand to stand trial. Ortiz has pleaded not guilty to one count of attempted murder, 10 counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm and three counts of shooting at an inhabit...

Burj Khalifa is losing its crown as the world’s tallest building

Burj Khalifa is losing its crown as the world’s tallest building Here’s why Dubai’s iconic Burj Khalifa may soon be knocked off its title as the world’s tallest building. At 828 metres tall, the city’s most famous landmark could soon be overtaken by two upcoming projects in Saudi Arabia. Rise Tower, a proposed mega-project in Riyadh, is planned to be two kilometres in height but is currently still in the planning stage. However, the Jeddah Economic Tower continues to gather pace, having recently reached the 370m mark. Also known as JEC Tower, the Jeddah structure is planned to be more than 1km tall, which would surpass the Burj Khalifa in the tall-building rankings. Global architectural firm HKS unveiled design proposals in 2025 for the massive Saudi Public Investment Fund-backed Rise Tower project in Riyadh. Burj Khalifa, Dubai Credit: Supplied Riyadh’s plans for a massive world-record-breaking tower have been in the pipeline since 2023, but it remains a long way from the big opening ...

Real Madrid are looking to tee up a move to sign Rodri from Manchester City this summer, according to reports.

Real Madrid In Anticipation To Sign Rodri from Manchester City this summer, according to reports. It is set to be a major off-season of change at the Etihad Stadium, with Pep Guardiola set to leave his position as head coach after ten years at the helm. Former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is due to replace him in the hotseat. The Catalan’s exit could spell a swathe of outgoings in the upcoming transfer window, with the likes of John Stones and Bernardo Silva already announcing their intentions to depart upon the expiration of their contracts. Now, City could lose yet another key player this summer, with Marca reporting that Madrid are eyeing Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner. The midfielder has had an injury-hit campaign, featuring 29 times in all competitions after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament rupture against Arsenal back in September 2024. He has since had niggling problems with his knee, hamstring and groin this term, limiting his involvement in City’s season as Guard...