Story by PETER ROOS
Photos courtesy Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center and BITE Trolley
Sonny Flynn is on a roll. Under her supervision and loving care, an old Florida-style tourist attraction has mushroomed into a indoorhabitat for hundreds of residents’ exotic pets. Her answer to the shortage of rental cars during COVID-19: “Start a trolley service.”
The Alligator Attraction at John’s Pass was founded in 2011. This attraction at Pinellas County’s top tourist destination was a hit with kids of all ages when all you could do was kiss a gator. Due to the immense need for animal welfare, they now serve much more than alligators. The constantly increasing demand for their care and attention changed their focus from attraction to education and conservation. This prompted them to make additions and new developments to their organization to allow them to properly treat and serve their growing collection of rescued animals.
Based on the ever-changing species of animals requiring their assistance and nurturing, they formed John’s Pass Rescuein 2019. This charitable 501(c)(3) organization’s mission is to collaborate, communicate, and educate the importance of animal rescue, welfare, and conservation. They strive for a world where every animal has a safe and loving forever home.
In January 2020, the name was changed to Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center reflecting the changes occurring. Licensed by the US and Florida Departments of Agriculture, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the primary goal is to provide humane and professional care for pet surrenders and orphaned wildlife that cannot be returned safely to their natural habitat. The center is home to over 250 animals and aquatic life. Their animal family members come to them from various sources such as Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), wildlife and reptile rescues, and individual owners that can no longer care for their pets.
Equally important, the Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center strives to provide education to the public through on-site and off-site programs about the natural history, importance of, and ways in which we can coexist with the rich diversity of wildlife in the world. Animal care videos they presented on YouTube during the pandemic have proven so popular many people are planning to visit our barrier island destination just so kids can see the attraction for themselves.
For several years, Sonny Flynn was the primary force behind the John’s Pass Seafood Festival. While the city of Madeira Beach has taken control, Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center will have a booth at the 40th Annual Festival, January 20 – January 23. If you enjoy seafood, music and shopping, show your support to all that has been tremendously impacted by the pandemic.
BITE Trolley
As though managing the growing menagerie was not enough of a challenge, Sonny has also launched Barrier Island Trolley and Entertainment (BITE). The mission of BITE is to eliminate parking headaches, provide a fun way to get cars off the road in conservation efforts and to add an experience on our wonderful beaches. “I planned to build slowly, and to have six trolleys by the end of three years. The universe just laughed at me. It has been just six months and we already have four trolleys,” said Sonny, who seems surprisingly calm with so many balls in the air. “We have an amazing team, all of whom are as dedicated to the animals as I am. Finding qualified trolley drivers is a bit challenging in today’s employment market, but I am confident.”
BITE is currently running the Sand Dollar Loop and will be adding Gator Bite and Snake Bite routes by Feb 1. The Sand Dollar Loop route has 15 stops with over 30 restaurants and bars within walking distance. From March through August they plan to offer beverages, entertainment and live exotic rescue animals on board for photos. Gator Bite will provide entertainment from Clearwater’s Pier 60 to John’s Pass.
Snake Bite will provide entertainment from John’s Pass to Downtown St. Petersburg. The Lemur Hop will transfer guests from St. Petersburg Pier to Clearwater’s Pier 60. For all the details, visit www.BiteTrolley.com.
All this growth has presented challenges. “While the alligators seem perfectly healthy and happy in the indoor environment, some of our newer charges, especially the pigs, monitors and the lemur need a place to go to de-stress and get a dose of natural sunlight,” said Sonny. Their financial goal this year is to raise funds for a down payment for at least an acre of land to accommodate the animals that require more natural sunlight. This ‘farm’ needs to be in Pinellas County and be zoned for “hoofstock.” “How can you help?” you ask.
Kiss A Gator Black Tie Gala
On Saturday, February 19, John’s Pass Rescue will host their first annual ‘Kiss A Gator Black Tie Gala’ from 7pm-11pm at the Don Cesar Beach Resort & Spa. They are actively soliciting silent auction items, sponsors and angels willing and able to pay $175/person to attend the event. If your budget allows, please plan to join us at the gala, or donate generously to help this local, worthy cause.