by Katie Alston

Alligator George is not crying crocodile tears for his mate Mildred, who died last week.

It wasn't exactly love at first sight for the pair, who were brought together at Wingham Wildlife park five months ago.

The couple, both American Alligators, took a little time to warm to each other, with toy boy George, 12, trying to bite his new girlfriend and her snapping back.

Mildred, 27, died from septic shock following problems ovulating. Despite being 9ft and 34 stone, her credentials paled in comparison to George, who is a whopping 13ft and 50 stone and the biggest alligator in Kent.

The wildlife park in Rusham Road, Wingham had loaned Mildred from another zoo in a bid to answer George's mating call. The couple were due to have children in the spring.

Mildred will be cremated and her skin will be used for educational purposes at the park.

Park owner, Tony Binskin said: "It is a very sad time for us. We made the discovery when we went into the enclosure the following morning.

"George used to treat her mean and keep her keen, but he will really miss her.

"Mildred was very popular and visitors have also been deeply saddened by her death.

"People used to ask if she was real as she rarely moved. If you include blinking, alligators on average only move for 20 minutes a day.

"It is a real shame that the couple never had babies. It had taken us a long time to find a suitable match for George.

"It isn't a desperate situation for us to find him another partner and he won't get depressed, but we are trying to find him another girlfriend for some companionship."

For more information on the park, visit the Wingham Wildlife Park website.