A Florida alligator missing the top half of its jaw has been given a new name in honor of fellow “Treasure” Dolly Parton.

• A jawless alligator has found a permanent home at Gatorland in Orlando
• The crocodile’s tongue is fully visible due to the tear in the snout below its eyes
• The exact cause of the crocodile’s injury remains unclear, but wildlife experts suspect it occurred after the animal fell into a hunting trap.

An alligator without an upper jaw has found a forever home at Gatorland amusement park in Orlando.

The crocodile’s tongue became fully visible after its snout appeared to have been completely severed below its eyes.

It’s not clear how the animal became injured, but wildlife experts believe the clean cut occurred after the animal got caught in a hunting trap.

Eating would also likely have become a problem for the reptile due to its lack of a powerful bite, but it is thought that it subsisted on carrion, invertebrates or other slow, small-moving prey to sustain itself.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) was first alerted to this unusual sight in late August and helped rescue the alligator, which was finally captured by mid-September.

The alligator has since been named Jawlene, inspired by Dolly Parton’s 1973 hit song Jolene.

“We are just a gem of the Southern countryside, and of course, if you come to visit us, you will get our warm Southern hospitality every time you come,” Gatorland CEO Mark McHugh said on Facebook.

‘This little crocodile is an absolute treasure. “We love her very much, but another American treasure is Dolly Parton,” he added.

Jawlene’s condition has improved since she was rescued and she is now able to eat again after she was first spotted in a park in Sanford near Orlando.

“At first, my mind couldn’t comprehend that the entire upper jaw was missing,” Eustacia Kanter said. Fox 35 Last month.

“When I realized this, I felt terrible for her and took as good a picture as I could with my cell phone standing at a distance so I could share it and try to find help.”

“From the photo I got, it looks like the crocodile is at a good weight, and the injury has healed, but continued survival in the wild is poor,” said Kim Titterington, a wildlife rehabilitator. the people.

“It could be another crocodile entangled, but the clean cut also suggests this animal was caught in a fishing trap.”

Titterington also noted that it was likely that the crocodile had been without a snout for some time since the injury appeared to have scarred and completely healed.

The crocodile will remain in captivity but will now be able to feed more easily with a constant stream of food now at its disposal thanks to caring staff at the theme park and zoo.