On Friday, November 1, Mayor Nic Hunter was joined by 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 recently refurbished Cypress Alligator Pond located on North Lakeshore Drive between Visit Lake Charles and Port Wonder.

“We are thrilled to welcome our three alligators home to their newly refurbished habitat here on the lakefront,” said Mayor Nic 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.”

While the alligators were on vacation at Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, contractors upgraded and refurbished the wooden fencing, signage, gate, and fence surrounding the enclosure.

Additionally, substantial improvements to the island were completed and the Cypress trunk features were rehabbed, with additional trees being added to provide shade for the alligators and guests visiting the pond.

A brand-new deck area has been added for public viewing and other cosmetic upgrades have been made. A new circulating water pump was also added to ensure a safer and healthier environment for the alligators. 

The Cypress Alligator Pond is open daily from sunrise to sunset.