In a 2-1 ruling, the appellate court in Atlanta, Georgia, granted a request from the state of Florida and the US homeland security department to block a lower court injunction while a lawsuit plays out.

"Alligator Alcatraz is in fact, like we've always said, open for business," said Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Last month, US District Judge Kathleen Williams ordered a halt to the facility's expansion and for its dismantling to begin within 60 days.