Animals likely killed in Gatorland fire

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 6 (UPI) -- A fire Monday morning at the Gatorland tourist attraction in Orlando, Fla. likely claimed the lives of four animals in an area holding pen, a report said.

While firefighters were able to contain the blaze to Gatorland's gift shop, the park's director of media production, Tim Williams, said that two pythons and two crocodiles likely perished in the blaze, WKHG-TV, Orlando, said.

Also claimed in the fire was the park's iconic giant alligator head that serves as the entryway into Gatorland.

"It is a tragedy with these historical structures," said Heather Goodwin, an official at the park. "I'm sure we can get that mouth reconstructed. Granted, it won't be exactly the same but we will have the mouth back."

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, but Williams remained optimistic that the attraction, opened in 1949, would bounce back.

"This park's been here for 57 years. We're not going anywhere," he told WKHG-TV. "It's the alligator capitol of the world. It's got a few scars and smudges on it, but we'll clean it up."