"Nimitz," the 5-foot alligator, had existed on a diet of hot dogs and been kept in a small fish tank when he was taken in by the Oakland Zoo after being confiscated by the California Department of Fish and Game, according to zoo officials.
Nimitz reportedly could barely walk and had never been outside when he first arrived at the zoo.
Five months later, Nimitz is ready to join other alligators at Croc Encounters, a 22-acre crocodile and alligator facility in Florida.