The Eagle

Belle Isle alligator ‘Fafnir’ now at home in Westland

A special guest will appear at the grand opening of the Great Lakes Serpentarium in Westland Oct. 31.

Faìfnir, the infamous Belle Isle alligator, will be on display in her new home which is currently shared with several turtles. The alligator, about 1.5 foot long, was first spotted Sept. 26 on Belle Isle, much to the shock of an unsuspecting paddleboarder. The elusive and wily reptile was eventually discovered and captured by dog trainer Steve Hart.

Westland serpentarium owners Michael Wilson and Kate Minnaar agreed to provide care for the creature and Wilson named it Fafnir, after a creature in Norse mythology. The alligator is estimated to be about 2 years old and is most likely a pet released by owners.

Wilson and Minnaar the co-owners of the serpentarium, said Faìfnir is most likely a pet released into the wild. Minnaar said the farthest North American alligators typically live is in North Carolina, and if left outside in the elements, the alligator would probably die in the cold. Typically, these reptiles live to about 70 or 80 and as adults are about 7 to 8 feet long, she added. The serpentarium may have to move to larger quarters as the reptiles grow during the next three years, the owners said. Alligators experience a growth spurt during the first few years and can grow as much as a foot in a year.

When Fafnir is a bit larger, she will be moved to a larger pond at the serpentarium where other alligators area kept. The alligators and Fafnir area fed three to five times each week and usually dine on chicken liver, rats and animal parts.

The serpentarium was moved to the Westland building from White Lake. The couple designed and built the pens and enclosures and are updating all safety features prior to the opening of the facility to the public at the end of the month.

Michigan has laws concerning keeping wild animals and releasing pets, wild or exotic animals into state parks is prohibited and is a threat to public safety, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). "Non-native species can disrupt local habitats and pose risks to visitors and wildlife alike," according to the DNR website.

Visitors to the serpentarium will be asked to sign safety waivers for children’s tours and other events geared more toward adults. Admission fees are still tentative, the owners said.

Wilson said the serpentarium expects to stay in the same building for the next three years and will likely move to a larger space as the alligators grow.

More information is available on the Great Lakes Serpentarium Facebook page.