An unexpected guest made a weekend appearance on a resident’s doorstep: an 8-foot alligator. Lee County Sheriff’s deputies partnered with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to ensure the safe relocation of the gator.
Alligators can be found in all 67 counties, and they live in any wetlands that provide appropriate food and shelter.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) works to keep Floridians and visitors informed and recommends the following precautionary measures near alligators, including in or near the water, to reduce the chances of conflict:
Read: Pinellas County Deputies Assist In Relocation Of 12.5-Foot Alligator From Pathway Used By Kids
- Keep a safe distance if you see an alligator. If someone is concerned about an alligator, they should call FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286), and we will dispatch a contracted nuisance alligator trapper to resolve the situation.
- Keep pets on a leash and away from the water’s edge. Pets often resemble alligators’ natural prey.
- Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours and without your pet. Alligators are most active between dusk and dawn.
- Never feed an alligator. It’s illegal and dangerous. When fed, alligators can lose their natural wariness and instead learn to associate people with the availability of food. This can lead to dangerous circumstances for yourself and other people who could encounter the alligator in the future.
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