Question for folks in Florida...

[JohnDeereFan]

Just got a phone call from my mother to tell me that they just removed a ten foot alligator from the pond next to our vacation house, where she's spending the winter. That's not surprising. It is South Florida, after all.

But what does surprise me is that they also found two four foot alligators, but won't remove them. She says they told her that the law says they can't be removed until they reach six feet.

Personally, I don't believe there's any such law. I believe the HOA is just too cheap to have them removed.

Has anybody in Florida ever heard of this alleged law?

I grew up in L.A., where gators are common and, if you swim at all, you're likely swimming with them, even if you don't realize it. But, as far as I know, they could be removed any time.

 

[Revmitchell]

Having been born and raised in Florida I can tell you that I have never heard of such a law. But I can tell you that there are a great many folks in the fish and game office that are animal rights people and are hesitant to interfere with them.

However, those gators will likely move on some time soon. I would not sweat it.

 

[JohnDeereFan]

Having been born and raised in Florida I can tell you that I have never heard of such a law.

Me, neither. Like I said, I think the HOA is just saying that because they don't want to spend the money to have them removed.

But I can tell you that there are a great many folks in the fish and game office that are animal rights people and are hesitant to interfere with them.

The only problem with that is that there's no surer way to assure the death of an alligator (or any wild animal) than to put it in an environment where it becomes a danger to people.

The second problem is that our house is only about half an hour from the Everglades. What better way to fix the problem than relocating them? Good for the people and much better for the gators.

However, those gators will likely move on some time soon. I would not sweat it.

Well, yes and no. The problem is that, this being South Florida, there are ponds and canals everywhere and there's a canal behind our house. We all know the gators live in the canal, but that isn't a big deal because that's cordoned off pretty well. The problem is that they keep coming up through the storm drains.

And don't get me wrong. I actually love the gators. They remind me of when I was a kid growing up in L.A. I just don't want them fifty yards from my front door,

 

[Revmitchell]

Me, neither. Like I said, I think the HOA is just saying that because they don't want to spend the money to have them removed.



The only problem with that is that there's no surer way to assure the death of an alligator (or any wild animal) than to put it in an environment where it becomes a danger to people.

The second problem is that our house is only about half an hour from the Everglades. What better way to fix the problem than relocating them? Good for the people and much better for the gators.



Well, yes and no. The problem is that, this being South Florida, there are ponds and canals everywhere and there's a canal behind our house. We all know the gators live in the canal, but that isn't a big deal because that's cordoned off pretty well. The problem is that they keep coming up through the storm drains.

And don't get me wrong. I actually love the gators. They remind me of when I was a kid growing up in L.A. I just don't want them fifty yards from my front door,

Yea I lived down in Naples when I was a kid. Plenty of canals and ponds full of gators. I later moved to the Ocala Forest where there is plenty of ponds and lakes.

Part of the issue is the snow birds feeding the gators. They lose their fear of people when that happens.

 

[JohnDeereFan]

Yea I lived down in Naples when I was a kid. Plenty of canals and ponds full of gators. I later moved to the Ocala Forest where there is plenty of ponds and lakes.

Part of the issue is the snow birds feeding the gators. They lose their fear of people when that happens.

Yes, I know. My brother got in a lot of trouble for that when he was a kid. Used to feed them marshmallows.

My mother tells me that one of the neighbors in our neighborhood down there likes to lure them up to their back door take pictures. How long do you think it will be before that idea backfires on them?

 

[Revmitchell]

My mother tells me that one of the neighbors in our neighborhood down there likes to lure them up to their back door take pictures. How long do you think it will be before that idea backfires on them?

Such behavior places everyone else in jeopardy. I am sure they are doing ti out of ignorance but they need to be educated.

 

[JohnDeereFan]

Such behavior places everyone else in jeopardy. I am sure they are doing it out of ignorance but they need to be educated.

Oh, they'll be educated one day, alright. But I don't think they'll like the education that gator's going to give them.

 

[Revmitchell]

Oh, they'll be educated one day, alright. But I don't think they'll like the education that gator's going to give them.

Homeowners need to go over there and school them and demand they stop before someone gets hurt.

 

[Dr. Bob]

What does this have to do with Baptist discussion? :BangHead:

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

What does this have to do with Baptist discussion? :BangHead:

Never mind.

 

[InTheLight]

Just got back from vacation in Florida a week ago. Mid 70's, sunny. Now I'm back in Minnesota--snow, 21 below temps, etc.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

Just got back from vacation in Florida a week ago. Mid 70's, sunny. Now I'm back in Minnesota--snow, 21 below temps, etc.

And did ya bring that little fella home with ya, ITL? :smilewinkgrin: