A Mickeyfan
DIS Legend
- Joined
- May 31, 2000
- Messages
- 10,422
From FL official site. ....
Living with Alligators
In Florida, the growing number of people living
and recreating near water has led to a steady rise
in the number of alligator-related complaints.
The majority of these complaints relate to
alligators being where they simply aren’t wanted.
Because of these complaints, the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Statewide
Nuisance Alligator Program permits the killing of
approximately 7,000 nuisance alligators each year.
Using this approach, and through increased public
awareness, the rate of alligator bites on people has
remained constant despite the increased potential
for alligator-human interactions as Florida’s human
population has grown.
Alligators are an important part of Florida’s
landscape and play a valuable role in the ecology
of our state’s wetlands. Alligators are predators
and help keep other aquatic animal populations in
balance. A better understanding of the facts and
information presented in this brochure will help
ensure that people and alligators can continue to
coexist.
Visit MyFWC.com/Gators for more information
about alligators and the latest nuisance alligator
program statistics.
Alligators and People
Alligators are a fundamental part of Florida’s wetlands,
swamps, rivers and lakes, and they are found in
all 67 counties. Florida continues to experience
human population growth. Many new residents seek
waterfront homes, resulting in increased interactions
between people and alligators.
Although most Floridians understand that we have
alligators living in our state, the potential for conflict
exists. Because of their predatory nature, alligators
may target pets and livestock as prey. Unfortunately,
people also are occasionally bitten. Since 1948, Florida
has averaged about five unprovoked bites per year.
During that period, a little more than 300 unprovoked
bites to people have been documented in Florida, with
22 resulting in deaths.
In the past 10 years, the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission has received an average of
nearly 16,000 alligator-related complaints per year.
Most of these complaints deal with alligators occurring
in places such as backyard ponds, canals, ditches and
streams, but other conflicts occur when alligators
wander into garages, swimming pools and golf course
ponds. Sometimes, alligators come out of the water to
bask in the sun or move between wetlands. In many
cases, if left alone, these alligators will eventually move
on to areas away from people.
Safety Tips
n Generally, alligators less than four feet in length
are not large enough to be dangerous unless handled.
However, if you encounter any alligator that you
believe poses a threat to people, pets or property,
call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-
GATOR (866-392-4286). Please be aware, nuisance
alligators are killed, not relocated.
n Be aware of the possibility of alligators when
you are in or near fresh or brackish water. Bites
may occur when people do not pay close enough
attention to their surroundings when working or
recreating near water.
n Do not swim outside of posted swimming areas
or in waters that might be inhabited by large
alligators.
n Alligators are most active between dusk and
dawn. Therefore, avoid swimming at night.
n Dogs and cats are similar in size to the natural
prey of alligators. Don’t allow pets to swim, exercise
or drink in or near waters that may contain
alligators. Dogs often attract an alligator’s interest,
so do not swim with your dog.
n Leave alligators alone. State law prohibits
killing, harassing or possessing alligators. Handling
even small alligators can result in injury.
A young alligator wanders onto a porch in a residential
neighborhood.
Tim Donovan, FWC
Do not swim outside of posted swimming areas or in
waters that may be inhabited by alligators.
Lizabeth West, FWC
Tim Donovan, FWC
Living with Alligators
In Florida, the growing number of people living
and recreating near water has led to a steady rise
in the number of alligator-related complaints.
The majority of these complaints relate to
alligators being where they simply aren’t wanted.
Because of these complaints, the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Statewide
Nuisance Alligator Program permits the killing of
approximately 7,000 nuisance alligators each year.
Using this approach, and through increased public
awareness, the rate of alligator bites on people has
remained constant despite the increased potential
for alligator-human interactions as Florida’s human
population has grown.
Alligators are an important part of Florida’s
landscape and play a valuable role in the ecology
of our state’s wetlands. Alligators are predators
and help keep other aquatic animal populations in
balance. A better understanding of the facts and
information presented in this brochure will help
ensure that people and alligators can continue to
coexist.
Visit MyFWC.com/Gators for more information
about alligators and the latest nuisance alligator
program statistics.
Alligators and People
Alligators are a fundamental part of Florida’s wetlands,
swamps, rivers and lakes, and they are found in
all 67 counties. Florida continues to experience
human population growth. Many new residents seek
waterfront homes, resulting in increased interactions
between people and alligators.
Although most Floridians understand that we have
alligators living in our state, the potential for conflict
exists. Because of their predatory nature, alligators
may target pets and livestock as prey. Unfortunately,
people also are occasionally bitten. Since 1948, Florida
has averaged about five unprovoked bites per year.
During that period, a little more than 300 unprovoked
bites to people have been documented in Florida, with
22 resulting in deaths.
In the past 10 years, the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission has received an average of
nearly 16,000 alligator-related complaints per year.
Most of these complaints deal with alligators occurring
in places such as backyard ponds, canals, ditches and
streams, but other conflicts occur when alligators
wander into garages, swimming pools and golf course
ponds. Sometimes, alligators come out of the water to
bask in the sun or move between wetlands. In many
cases, if left alone, these alligators will eventually move
on to areas away from people.
Safety Tips
n Generally, alligators less than four feet in length
are not large enough to be dangerous unless handled.
However, if you encounter any alligator that you
believe poses a threat to people, pets or property,
call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-
GATOR (866-392-4286). Please be aware, nuisance
alligators are killed, not relocated.
n Be aware of the possibility of alligators when
you are in or near fresh or brackish water. Bites
may occur when people do not pay close enough
attention to their surroundings when working or
recreating near water.
n Do not swim outside of posted swimming areas
or in waters that might be inhabited by large
alligators.
n Alligators are most active between dusk and
dawn. Therefore, avoid swimming at night.
n Dogs and cats are similar in size to the natural
prey of alligators. Don’t allow pets to swim, exercise
or drink in or near waters that may contain
alligators. Dogs often attract an alligator’s interest,
so do not swim with your dog.
n Leave alligators alone. State law prohibits
killing, harassing or possessing alligators. Handling
even small alligators can result in injury.
A young alligator wanders onto a porch in a residential
neighborhood.
Tim Donovan, FWC
Do not swim outside of posted swimming areas or in
waters that may be inhabited by alligators.
Lizabeth West, FWC
Tim Donovan, FWC
