An emotional support alligator named WallyGator, who has been a beloved companion to Joie Henney for nearly a decade, was taken by pranksters while on vacation in Georgia and later released into a swamp.
According to Henney, WallyGator was taken from their holiday location by someone looking to play a prank, and then dropped into another person’s yard, likely to cause a scare.
Fortunately, the alarmed residents contacted local animal control, who sent a trapper to capture WallyGator. However, in a surprising turn of events, the trapper released WallyGator into a swamp with 20 other alligators, leaving Henney worried about his safety.
Emotional Support Alligator (Credits: The Independent)
The trapper reportedly told Henney that the chances of finding WallyGator again were “slim to none,” but Henney remains determined to search the swamp for his companion.
WallyGator and Henney have made headlines before, when they were denied entrance to a Major League Baseball game in September 2023.
Despite this setback, Henney credits WallyGator with helping him overcome deep emotional depression over the years. “I’ve never met an alligator that will not bite you,” Henney said in a 2022 interview with CBS Evening News. “You fool around the head like this (Joe puts his hand in Wally’s mouth), their instinct is to grab you [with their teeth] – but he does not do it.”
Beloved Emotional Support Alligator (Credits: Yahoo)
WallyGator, who is approximately nine years old and six feet long, has an estimated bite force of 3000 pounds per square inch. Despite his size and strength, WallyGator is surprisingly cuddly and has a unique temperament, allowing Henney to rub his tongue and even put his hand in his mouth without fear of being bitten.
Henney is now praying for WallyGator’s safe return, hoping that he will be able to find his beloved companion in the swamp. “We just pray with other alligators present that Wally is OK,” Henney said on social media. The search for WallyGator continues, and Henney remains determined to be reunited with his emotional support alligator.
