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FWC: Be careful of alligators this time
of year
April 3, 2007
Contact: Blair Hayman (863) 462-5195
Spring is when Florida’s alligators start
getting active, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) is urging Floridians and visitors to be
cautious when having fun in and around water.
Alligators abound in all 67 counties and have
shared marshes, swamps, rivers and lakes with people for
centuries. But because more individuals are seeking waterfront
property and water-related activities increase during the warm
months, people should be alert when they are in areas where
alligators could be present.
Closely supervise children when they are playing
in or around water. State law prohibits contact with alligators,
and it is against the law to feed them.
There are other precautionary measures people
should take to reduce potential conflicts with alligators, and
they are available in the "Living with Alligators” brochure at
MyFWC.com/gators.
The FWC annually receives more than 18,000
alligator-related complaints. The agency removes more than 7,000
alligators each year when the reptiles present danger to people
or property.
If you encounter an alligator that poses a
threat to you, your pets or your property, and the alligator is
more than 4 feet long, call the FWC’s toll-free Nuisance
Alligator Hotline at 1-866-FWC-GATOR (392-4286). The telephone
number is the primary contact for all alligator complaints and
is available to customers 24 hours a day.
Alligators are an important part of Florida’s
heritage and play a valuable role in the ecosystems where they
live. Visit
MyFWC.com/gators for more information on alligator behavior. |
