Gator Country
Deception, Danger, and Alligators in the Everglades
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Gator Country
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Narrated by:
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John Pirhalla
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By:
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Rebecca Renner
About this listen
This program features a bonus conversation between the author and Officer Jeff Babauta (who led the undercover investigation known as Operation Alligator Thief) and an introduction read by the author.
"John Pirhalla offers a first-rate narration. His facility with accents gives atmosphere to this true-crime work. He varies his tone, pitch, and cadence to good effect, and effectively handles both its hard-boiled police procedural aspects and the author's loving passages about the ecosystem at the center of the story."—AudioFile
David Grann meets Susan Orlean in this compelling true story of an underground operation into the mysterious world of alligator poaching and its larger than life Floridian characters
To catch a Florida Man, you have to become one, and that’s what Officer Jeff Babauta did. As his ponytailed, whiskey-soaked alter ego, he established Sunshine Alligator Farm. His goal? Infiltrate the shady world of illegal poachers in the Florida Everglades in order to protect the natural world.
A head-spinning adventure soon unfolds. Jeff deals with glow-in-the-dark alligators and high-speed airboat rides, but quickly learns that not all poachers are villains. They’re simply people trying to survive, fighting against the poverty and greed holding them down. Jeff wants to solve the mystery of alligator poachers, and in doing so he must venture deeper into a strange ecosystem where right is wrong, and justice comes at the cost of those who’ve welcomed him into their world.
Gator Country is the twisting true story of the impossible choices individuals must make to stay afloat in this world. Through its wholly unique blend of reporting, nature writing, and personal narrative, this book transports listeners to vibrant and dangerous Florida landscapes and offers intimate portraits of those who call the region home. Broad in scope and vivid in detail, Gator Country is a fast paced tale of the risks people will take to survive in one of the world's most beautiful yet formidable landscapes and the undercover investigation that threatens to topple the whole scheme.
A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2023 Rebecca Renner (P)2023 Macmillan AudioListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
"Fascinating...Renner teases out the moral ambiguities with a grace and rigor reminiscent of Susan Orlean’s The Orchid Thief. Beautifully evoking the 'sawgrass plains and wild strands of jungle' of its author’s home state, this tale of power, politics, and tradition is a triumph."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"Combining her skills for investigative reporting, nature writing, and personal anecdotes, Renner explores local folklore and legends, shares her personal experiences and observations... Renner’s passion for her home state, compassion for those less fortunate, and gift of storytelling make this book difficult to put down. Enlightening and full of suspense."—Kirkus, starred review
"In this fascinating blend of true crime and science reporting, Rebecca Renner’s Gator Country tracks Jeff Babauta, an unassuming undercover conservation agent who risks it all to infiltrate an alligator poaching operation in the treacherous Florida wetlands. Told with fierce loyalty to nature and compassion for humans, Renner’s Gator Country delivers all the suspense and subterfuge of a le Carré novel. It’ll even make you love alligators."—Erika Krouse, award-winning author of Tell Me Everything: The Story of a Private Investigation
What listeners say about Gator Country
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Joseph B Crook
- 11-29-23
A Vivid Journey Through Florida's Wild Heart
In "Gator Country: Deception, Danger, and Alligators in the Everglades," author Rebecca Renner expertly captures the essence of Florida's untamed spirit. The narrative blends history, culture, and the natural world, offering an engaging and educational read. As a Floridian, I found Renner's skill in interweaving the state's lore, the tireless efforts of a lone FWC officer, and the resilient fish camp communities particularly moving.
The book left me thinking about my understanding of gators from the perspective of growing up in the Big Bend of Florida and learning in elementary school that someone shot "Old Joe," the legendary alligator of Wakulla Springs, for no reason. Renner's story gave me a better understanding of my local legend. I now imagine Old Joe as more than just a massive creature of 650 pounds and 11 feet long. Through her vivid storytelling, she elevates the alligator to a symbol of respect and discretion, integral to Florida's mythos.
Renner goes beyond mere alligator stories. She delves into the alligator's role in Florida's ecosystem, adeptly highlighting the contrasts and connections between the policymakers in the panhandle and the enigmatic Everglades of South Florida. Her exploration of how decisions made in Tallahassee affect the diverse regions of South Florida was reassuring as she wove the interconnected woof and warp of history, politics, and nature.
Moreover, Renner challenges the stereotypical view of the Everglades as merely a haven for mosquitoes and yellow flies. Her vivid writing reveals the region's true beauty and wonder, a place where the bellows of bull-gators and the cries of panthers resonate, urging us to cherish and understand this unique land.
In conclusion, "Gator Country" transcends being merely a book about alligators, much like Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings's works transcend being just about deer. It is a profound exploration of Florida's soul. Renner has created a book that is as enlightening as it is captivating, a must-read for anyone interested in Florida's natural and cultural heritage. This book is a heartfelt tribute to the creatures, people, and landscapes that define the state, deepening my appreciation for the place I once called home.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Monica Lamberty
- 01-29-24
Great real life story!
The story was told just like mystery!
I loved true life stories and this taught me alot about a subject I had no knowledge of being that I'm from the midwest. I think it would make a great movie!
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- History Buff
- 01-28-24
Nice In-Depth Investigation
Renner does a great job of getting into the Everglades to explore this tale of alligator poachers. She is a good writer and exposes the atrocities destroying the flora and fauna in the unique region of the Everglades. We learn a lot about alligators and poaching in general. I would say she far exceeds the highly-honored Susan Orleans who does the same type of story. I was puzzled as to why the narration was done by a man.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 03-27-25
Such an accurate representation of Florida!
This book was one I’ll never forget! Born and raised in Merritt island and her description of Florida culture was spot on. Very moving and it made me want to be a better conservationist
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- theresa saso
- 05-06-24
An Important and Entertaining Triumph
NARRATION: GREAT narration! I usually listen a little slower or faster, but this was right on and his voicing of the characters was superb.
THE STORY
As a memoirist (don't worry, I'm not self-promoting, I don't use my real name on my Audible account) I could see "behind the scenes" at what a difficult task Rebecca Renner and her editors were taking on. This book is about Operation Alligator Thief, told from the third-person perspective of the undercover Florida Wildlife Officer who made the case over 2 1/2 years, operating an alligator farm, and the first-person perspective of Rebecca as the author investigating the subject matter, obviously post-facto. She could have written this book as basically a true crime thriller, but it would have lost some of the great insights and straight-up biology, history, anthropology and social justice lessons.
It's hard to teach and entertain at the same time, but Rebecca does a very good job balancing the hero's journey and her own investigative journalism memoir. I won't say there weren't times listening that it dragged just a touch because of the depth of some of those lessons, but that is only in comparison to the tension of the undercover story. And I learned so much about all these aforementioned subjects.
What really impressed me about this book was how Rebecca humanized the subjects (and not the animals) into 3D persons instead of 2D heroes and villains. Some authors think they do the same but they really don't. And she didn't "even them out" either. She didn't just lead her readers to the "were all the same in the end" bs that many writers and journalists do. She basically showed us the real people and their circumstances and the truth of their social and physical environment but also showed the moral and legal decisions. No, not everyone is completely a hero or villain but that doesn't mean there aren't heroes and villains in a situation.
So, yes, give it a listen and when it bogs down (that might be a pun) wade through (I may have done it again) as you will be rewarded by more than just clever mystery writing type pay-offs. You'll get the real mud. (sorry).
Cheers to American heroes, like Jeff, and journalists, like Rebecca who tell their stories with integrity.
J
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- dee l
- 01-24-25
Informative!!
This is a great listen, as a Florida resident I appreciate the information and the way it’s written is easy to follow!
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- Dianne Tuttle
- 03-12-24
Awe Inspiring Appreciation of Nature
The depth of the author’s knowledge about nature and the Everglades was impressive.
Knowing the dangers the wildlife officer faced and the fact he still took the assignment was a testament to his own love of wildlife. His personal conflict and self dialogue over his choices in turning in poachers made this a story of ethics and humanity, as well.
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- Corndog
- 09-18-24
WOW! An amazing piece.
I have read almost every piece of Florida literature and this book really impressed me. I thought it would be a simple recount of events. A typical poacher vs lawman story. Boy was I wrong.
The way that she honored Florida’s wilderness with her vivid descriptions and her ability to show Jeff’s passion for nature, pulled real emotion out of me due to my own love for the Florida wildlands.
The author is able to tell two sides of a story, all the while exploring her own appreciation for the beauty she had overlooked growing up. Amazing work. A must read.
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- Millie
- 12-27-23
Dedication of Florida Wildlife Conservation officers.
Learn a lot about alligator egg poaching I didn’t know. Also, the danger of being an undercover agent.
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- Lindsey
- 01-24-24
Everything I never knew I needed to know about alligators
This was such a well written story on alligators and an undercover poaching operation. Loved every minute.
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