Gonzalo Anzurez, a 15-year-old hunter, harvested an 11-foot, 6-inch alligator in South Carolina this past May, marking a significant achievement in a year that also saw him bag an elk, deer, and turkey. The hunt was sponsored by the Outdoor Dream Foundation, which facilitated Anzurez’s trip to the state.
Anzurez, who was paralyzed below the C-4 vertebrae in an August 2024 auto accident, uses a special mount on his wheelchair and a sip and puff device to activate his weapon’s trigger. His hunting partner, Tev Kelley, founder of Wyoming Dream Hunts, assists with aiming. The alligator hunt presented a unique challenge, requiring precise teamwork to hit a small target area on the gator’s brain, which was partially submerged.
The harvested gator, weighing between 500 and 600 pounds, was described by property owners as one of the largest seen in over 30 years. The meat was butchered and shipped to Anzurez’s home by August 21, with the hide and head expected to be processed and delivered in about a year to a year and a half. Anzurez credits his time outdoors for contributing to his physical improvements, as he has regained some use in his right shoulder and arm.
Despite doctors initially doubting the benefit of physical therapy, Anzurez is determined to build his dexterity. His mother, Cindy Anzurez, noted the difficulty of affording rehabilitation treatments, which cost approximately $45,000 out of pocket. However, community support, including donations from strangers, has been instrumental. The Anzurez family is now giving back by using a modified bus to help other disabled community members with transportation.
