The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park recently announced that one of the zoo’s dearest friends, George J. Craig, died in November in Cairns, Australia, at the age of 94.
Craig, best known to St. Augustine residents as the captor of the legendary crocodile Gomek, played an instrumental role in the history of the Alligator Farm.
In 1968, Craig was called upon by residents of a remote region of Papua New Guinea to capture a large, dangerous crocodile terrorizing the Fly River. After successfully capturing the croc, Craig transported him 400 miles downriver, eventually bringing Gomek to his home on Daru Island.
In 1972, Gomek was relocated to Marineland Melanesia on Green Island, where he was discovered by Arthur Jones, the founder of Nautilus Sports Medical Industries, who later arranged Gomek’s transport to his wildlife sanctuary in Florida. In 1989, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm acquired Gomek, who lived the rest of his life in St. Augustine.
Craig was also instrumental in securing Maximo and Sydney, the Alligator Farm’s two remarkable saltwater crocodiles, and he played a key role in helping the zoo acquire a collection of New Guinea and Oceanic art pieces. His personal collection on Green Island has been called breathtaking, and several of his own artworks are proudly displayed in the Alligator Farm’s Education Building.
“George was an exceptional man whose life was filled with adventure and achievement,” said David C. Drysdale, owner of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm. “He was not only a pioneering wildlife conservationist, but also an artist and a storyteller who touched the lives of all who had the honor to know him. George’s legacy is forever intertwined with the Alligator Farm, and we will always treasure his friendship, his contributions and the incredible memories we shared.”
Born in Peru in 1930, Craig’s extraordinary life spanned continents and eras. From surviving the Battle of Britain as a young child to embarking on daring crocodile hunts in the wilds of Papua New Guinea, Craig’s experiences were chronicled in the 1976 book “To Catch a Crocodile” by Australian author Peter Pinney. His adventurous spirit continued to inspire all who knew him, and he remained a passionate supporter of wildlife conservation throughout his life.
A model of Craig’s collecting boat, the “Janis B” crafted by Tom Rahner, will be added to the Alligator Farm’s Gomek display, along with photographs and memorabilia, ensuring Craig’s legacy lives on in St. Augustine.
“We will continue to honor George’s memory through our work and our dedication to the conservation of these magnificent creatures,” added Drysdale. “We were fortunate to have known such a remarkable individual, and we are grateful for the indelible mark he has left on this place.”
For more information, go to alligatorfarm.com.
