Lake Charles, Louisiana – Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter recently joined forces with representatives from Indorama, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), Children’s Museum, Visit Lake Charles, and Crying Eagle to cut the ribbon on the newly refurbished Cypress Alligator Pond. Located on North Lakeshore Drive between Visit Lake Charles and Port Wonder, the pond is now open to the public after undergoing significant upgrades.
During the refurbishment process, the three resident alligators were temporarily relocated to the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge. Meanwhile, contractors worked on upgrading and refurbishing various aspects of the enclosure, including the wooden fencing, signage, gate, and surrounding fence. The island within the pond also underwent substantial improvements, with the Cypress trunk features being rehabilitated and additional trees being added to provide shade for both the alligators and visitors.
A brand-new deck area has been added, providing a prime observation spot for the public to view the alligators in their natural habitat. Other cosmetic upgrades have also been made to enhance the overall experience. A new circulating water pump has been installed to ensure a safer and healthier environment for the alligators.
The refurbished pond is the result of a collaboration between the City of Lake Charles, Indorama, and the LDWF, with guidance from McNeese State University staff. According to Mayor Hunter, the partnership has enabled the creation of an ideal habitat for the alligators, balancing their needs with those of the public.
“We are thrilled to welcome our three alligators home to their newly refurbished habitat here on the lakefront,” said Mayor Hunter. “Under the guidance of LDWF and McNeese State University staff, and thanks to our partnership with Indorama, the habitat has been refurbished to offer the perfect mixture of a natural habitat for our gators and a prime observation area for the public.”
The Cypress Alligator Pond is now open daily from sunrise to sunset, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to observe these incredible creatures in their natural environment.