Internet users have not responded kindly to a Texas woman’s college graduation photo posted to social media on Friday.
“Not your typical graduation picture,” the caption of the photo reads, showing Makenzie Noland in a cap and sash, giving a thumbs up while standing next to the nearly 14-foot long alligator.
The wildlife ecology student at Texas A&M University had been interning at an alligator rescue centre in Beaumont, Texas, and was inspired to take the photo after developing a connection with one of the park’s main attractions — “Big Tex.”
READ MORE: Toronto makeup artist hopes his viral grad photo sparks more conversation about gender norms
Gator Country park claims Tex holds the title as the “largest live-captured nuisance alligator” and the largest reptile at the park.
“I really just wanted to highlight what I’ve been doing here at my internship and basically just say how excited I was to graduate from Texas A & M, because I’m a very proud Aggie,” Noland told KJAC.
READ MORE: Alligators make do in frozen zoo enclosure in ‘amazing’ display of survival
According to Noland’s social media posts, the beast has typically been temperamental with who feeds him, but described how she was able to build a relationship that allowed her to be one of the few that he trusted.
“I’ve been working with him to get to this point to be able to feed him by myself so it was intense,” Noland wrote.
READ MORE: Florida man makes beer run while clutching live alligator under his arm
The daring graduation photo went viral over the weekend as Noland prpared to walk across the convocation stage to receive her bachelor’s degree.
“Thank you to everyone who has shared my posts and given me all of this support,” Noland wrote on Facebook. “I am overwhelmed with how viral my post has gotten and to see everyone from my hometown pushing me to move forward and supporting me is truly incredible!”
But not everyone was thrilled by the image.
“Education sure missed this young lady,” Angela Deal wrote on Facebook. “Why on earth would you risk your life?”
“Congrats on your graduation. It’s amazing that you’ve gained such trust of the gator and your chosen work is fantastic,” Terry Nuttall responded on Instagram. “However I’m sure you know that however trained a 14 foot gator is, it’s still a wild creature and it can kill you, accidentally or not. Please don’t get too relaxed around them.”
While Facebook user David Ruiz posted, “please don’t tell me that she graduated summa cum laude.”
Comments