College Student’s Shocking Graduation Portraits Include Massive Alligators Named Tex and Big Al (Exclusive)

Toria Sheffield, Nicholas RiceSun, May 24, 2026 at 8:00 AM UTC

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Katalina Daley's college graduation shoot with alligators
Credit: Laura Oglesbee Photography l @katdaley919 l @gator_country_beaumont_texas -

College Katalina Daley celebrated earning her degree with a graduation photo shoot featuring two massive alligators

Daley, who works at Gator Country Adventure Park & Sanctuary in Texas, said she regularly works with the reptiles

The McNeese State University grad also told PEOPLE she has had a lifelong passion for wildlife

A woman's graduation photo shoot came with some serious bite thanks to a couple of massive alligators.

Katalina Daley recently graduated from McNeese State University in Louisiana with a Bachelor of General Studies.

Daley, 22, who has been working at Gator Country Adventure Park & Sanctuary in Beaumont, Texas, for the past year, celebrated the milestone with a wildlife shoot with two of the sanctuary's alligators: Big Al and Tex.

Katalina Daley poses with an alligator at Gator Country Adventure Park & Sanctuary in Texas
Credit: Laura Oglesbee Photography l @katdaley919 l @gator_country_beaumont_texas

“My boss, Shannon Saurage, actually came up with the idea to put Big Al and Tex in my graduation photos and I loved it,” the animal care coordinator tells PEOPLE exclusively.

Katalina Daley poses with an alligator in her graduation cap and gown at Gator Country Adventure Park & Sanctuary in Texas
Credit: Laura Oglesbee Photography l @katdaley919 l @gator_country_beaumont_texas

“I work with them almost every day, so putting them in my graduation photos just felt right,” she continues, adding that she is specially trained to work with the animals featured in the photos.

“We actually do educational shows with these two specific alligators daily,” she explains. “However, [I] also had other trained professionals behind me ready to help whenever I may need, as we do any time we interact with these animals.”

And while Daley says she was “excited” for the shoot, she also emphasizes the importance of remaining cautious and respectful around the alligators.

“I always keep in mind that these are still wild animals at the end of the day, and keep a certain sense of weariness when working hands-on with them. I think it is always important to remember what they can do,” she adds.

Katalina Daley with an alligator
Credit: Laura Oglesbee Photography l @katdaley919 l @gator_country_beaumont_texas

Daley, who runs the sanctuary's Instagram account (@gator_country_beaumont_texas), as well as posts gator content under her personal handle (@katdaley919), says she’s a lifelong lover of animals and wildlife.

“Learning about and caring for animals has been a passion of mine ever since I can remember,” she tells PEOPLE.

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Katalina Daley poses with a young alligator
Credit: Laura Oglesbee Photography l @katdaley919 l @gator_country_beaumont_texas

“I have been involved in wildlife rehabilitation since I was around seven years old,” she continues, adding, “Gators are definitely an obvious favorite for me, but raccoons and coatis are a pretty close second.”

Daley also says she believes alligators are largely misunderstood by the general public — which she attributes to misrepresentation in pop culture and media.

“Alligators and large reptiles are portrayed as the villain, and many times people are raised to fear them —  when in reality, they do not interfere with us as long as we don't interfere with them,” she says.

Katalina Daley kissing an alligator
Credit: Laura Oglesbee Photography l @katdaley919 l @gator_country_beaumont_texas

“Alligators are not out to get people. They would much rather be left alone,” the graduate adds.

As for Daley's plans post-graduation?

The animal lover, who co-manages the day-to-day operations of Gator Country with her fiancé, says she has already found her dream job at the sanctuary.

“We take care of all 1,000-plus animals in our care at the park and run our educational alligator feeding shows, where we interact with Big Tex and Al to teach the public about alligators,” she says, adding that they also train college interns on animal care and education.

“So I will stay where I am and see where it takes me!” she tells PEOPLE.

on People

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”