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http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=29&art_id=qw1146757320319B224
Labelle, Florida - A real estate tycoon who owns a nature reserve tried to show off for visitors by jumping on an alligator's back for a ride, but the reptile bit his hand and dragged him into 4,6m of water.
The 2,4m alligator let go of Ronald Bergeron after witnesses pulled its tail. Bergeron, 62, suffered a shattered pinky, a broken ring finger and puncture wounds in his palm.
The multi-millionaire developer tried the stunt on Sunday while giving a tour of his 2 000ha reserve to weekend guests who had made large donations to the Boys & Girls Club charity.
"I always tell them I'm going to wrestle an alligator," Bergeron said on Wednesday. "My grandfather was a game warden in the Everglades, and I grew up around alligators."
He said he usually rides the alligator for a minute before letting it go.
This time, Bergeron said, "he was rolling and I couldn't keep control of his mouth. He grabbed my hand in his mouth."
Bergeron was pulled under the water before guests grabbed the alligator and pulled it out. Bergeron was driven to a hospital.
He said he never harms the alligators at the reserve, west of Lake Okeechobee.
Animal harassment is illegal. The incident has not been reported to the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, spokesperson Dani Moschella said.
Bergeron, who also competes in a weekly rodeo, said he was unlikely to give up alligator wrestling. "Too exciting," he said. - Sapa-AP
Labelle, Florida - A real estate tycoon who owns a nature reserve tried to show off for visitors by jumping on an alligator's back for a ride, but the reptile bit his hand and dragged him into 4,6m of water.
The 2,4m alligator let go of Ronald Bergeron after witnesses pulled its tail. Bergeron, 62, suffered a shattered pinky, a broken ring finger and puncture wounds in his palm.
The multi-millionaire developer tried the stunt on Sunday while giving a tour of his 2 000ha reserve to weekend guests who had made large donations to the Boys & Girls Club charity.
"I always tell them I'm going to wrestle an alligator," Bergeron said on Wednesday. "My grandfather was a game warden in the Everglades, and I grew up around alligators."
He said he usually rides the alligator for a minute before letting it go.
This time, Bergeron said, "he was rolling and I couldn't keep control of his mouth. He grabbed my hand in his mouth."
Bergeron was pulled under the water before guests grabbed the alligator and pulled it out. Bergeron was driven to a hospital.
He said he never harms the alligators at the reserve, west of Lake Okeechobee.
Animal harassment is illegal. The incident has not been reported to the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, spokesperson Dani Moschella said.
Bergeron, who also competes in a weekly rodeo, said he was unlikely to give up alligator wrestling. "Too exciting," he said. - Sapa-AP
