SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – It has been four days since the opening of an alligator sanctuary in South Padre Island; the organization behind it says safety is their priority.

The South Padre Island Birding Center is focusing on educating the public about alligators.

They introduced 50 juvenile alligators and "Big Padre", a 12 foot alligator.

Naturalist Javier Gonzalez says they have two full-time employees the center hired to keep an eye on enclosures.

“Make sure there’s no breach of the fencing or anything like that, and just make sure that everybody is taken care of,” he says.

The organization says they are working towards making the center a place where alligators in the Rio Grande Valley can go to take refuge.

For more information watch the video above.