Gator Aide played a large part in rescue efforts shortly after Hurricane Katrina. Because the hurricane hit mainly Southern states, the helpful alligators in New Orleans and the surrounding area were more than happy to emerge from their swamps and bogs, and assist in the rescue of humans drowning in the water, or trapped on roofs. Sadly, because alligators do not have opposible thumbs or large arms, their rescue efforts had to be made by grabbing hurricane victims using their large, toothy jaws, which more often than not led to victims dying sooner than they would have if left alone. Despite this, New Orleans Gator Aide Rescue Unit spokesman Tom Shavoski points out that