Article: 'Alligators are very shy'.

Byline: Mark Pino

Apr. 19--Wrestling an alligator may be the ultimate in Florida tourism kitsch, but it helped make Gatorland in south Orange County a popular visitor destination for decades. Gatorland was Metro Orlando's first real tourist attraction. Owen Godwin Sr., who founded the park in 1949, hired Seminole Indians to live on the property and wrestle alligators. Johnny Matos is one of about a half-dozen elite workers -- and the only one who speaks Spanish -- who tussles with reptiles at the attraction that bills itself the "Alligator Capital of the World." Matos, who has worked at the attraction since 2003, spoke with Sentinel reporter Mark Pino.

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