While some may consider some of the responses as "bashing," please do realize that many of us are very concerned about injury to those who might be feeding wildlife and harm to the wildlife. It's so easy to forget or maybe not truly realize the power and strength, as well as the SPEED of a gator. Most of us have not lived around these reptiles before and also may not have witnessed their attack behaviors. While the turtles seem to be mild and gentle creatures, when they become accustomed to getting "handouts," their natural foods and the others who are in that particular food chain, are also impacted.
No one wants to see anyone injured or worse because they might not have realized how one interaction with wild animals can cause further impact later on. Gators in the main lake don't always stay in that particular lake...it's almost as if the gators around our community are migratory...
...they go from one lake to another and if ones that have been fed become less fearful of humans, and that human is blissfully ignorant of the power and speed of gators, well, gators are seen on golf courses, one kept running up close to a green we ladies were playing on....a squirrel was taunting the beast and now it's not afraid of man...well, it could be rather nasty.
Please, all, be safe, enjoy nature, but remember for every action there is reaction...sometimes we are aware of the reaction, but many times, not. I don't want to have our gators impacted through no fault of their own...their lives are literally, in our hands.
Thank you for indulging me in this venue for my small rant.