Alligators eat ducks

[Kahuna32162]

I read in the "other" Villages news that they are setting traps for a alligator that went after a duck. It's called nature, upset the natural balance, and soon that gator will be in somebodies back yard eyeing a 4 legged pet.

[Barefoot]

...

[rubicon]

When government chooses it generally chooses wrong

[jblum315]

One side benefit is when you see ducks swimming around there ain't no alligator

[tomwed]

If you ask me that duck was asking for trouble.

[Bay Kid]

I guess they will have to feed the alligator so he won't have to hunt for himself.

[mulligan]

I would bet the gator was not trapped for attacking a duck. That's what they do. But rather for losing his fear of people and getting too close to people near the water. He will be killed for meat and hide.

[dbussone]

If you ask me that duck was asking for trouble.


I agree Tom. It was the duck's fault. You just can't trust them.

[bagboy]

I thought I read that one of the RC boaters wrestled the duck away from the alligator. I don't know how someone could think that is a good idea, I'm not even sure how that thought could enter ones mind.

[plimit56]

They should get the Gator Boys up here to capture and relocate to a safer area.

[DonH57]

If you ask me that duck was asking for trouble.

The duck had it coming! I bet he called the alligator's mother a purse!

[tomwed]

Suppose they do catch an alligator. How will we know if the duck can pick him out of a line-up? I suppose they could xray the gator but they better catch him soon.

[Chi-Town]

Hey, who doesn't like fresh duck?

[DougB]

They should get the Gator Boys up here to capture and relocate to a safer area.

He would just fly back here if they did.

[HimandMe]

You guys are quackers.

[Kahuna32162]

RIP to the poor gator who only wanted a little breakfast.

2 good things have come from this incident.....no RC boats were harmed in the capture of this predictor and "gator bits" at Cody's are now on sale.

[rubicon]

When playing golf one morning i watched an alligator hunt down and eat a duck for breakfast. The alligator had very good table manners and swallowed half the pond to wash it down

[Topspinmo]

I read in the "other" Villages news that they are setting traps for a alligator that went after a duck. It's called nature, upset the natural balance, and soon that gator will be in somebodies back yard eyeing a 4 legged pet.


Same thing could be said about sharks:ohdear: anything in there natural environment what they eat?

[ditka41]

As a kid growing up in Illinois, I really wanted to visit Florida to see the 'gators. Never knew of anyone having any interest in coming here to look at a duck though. Maybe we need to treat the gators in a more welcome manner in order to preserve our property values?

[Barefoot]

I thought I read that one of the RC boaters wrestled the duck away from the alligator. I don't know how someone could think that is a good idea, I'm not even sure how that thought could enter ones mind.

The gator has been trapped and will be killed. The duck has been euthanized.
The small gator was only hunting food in a pond, which is nature's way.
If you read this story in the National Enquirer, you wouldn't believe it.
Whoever made the decision to trap and kill this small gator should be held accountable for making a ridiculous decision.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

The gator has been trapped and will be killed. The duck has been euthanized.
The small gator was only hunting food in a pond, which is nature's way.
If you read this story in the National Enquirer, you wouldn't believe it.
Whoever made the decision to trap and kill this small gator should be held accountable for making a ridiculous decision.


I agree. The story said that the gator had become aggressive. I believe that they determined that because it went after the duck. Ridiculous!

[keywest]

I know the boater that saved the duck from the gator thought he was doing a good deed, however he messed in the order of nature and now there are 2 animals dead.

[Chi-Town]

.Here's a little side note. Remember the guy who jumped in the water to wrestle his dog from the jaws of an alligator? Well, he and the dog packed up and headed for greener patures.

[zonerboy]

Saw a bird in my back yard a few days ago and it flew away with a small lizard in its mouth. Guess I should be calling the authorities to send out a trapper so we can rid our neighborhood of aggressive birds.

[dbussone]

Saw a bird in my back yard a few days ago and it flew away with a small lizard in its mouth. Guess I should be calling the authorities to send out a trapper so we can rid our neighborhood of aggressive birds.


I'm shocked you didn't try to rescue the poor lizard. Do you feel guilty at all?

[Advogado]

I suspect that this whole thread may have been provoked by a poorly written article in the Villages on-line newspaper.

The basic situation really seems to have been that there was an alligator, of a size that it would make it dangerous to us humans, removed from a densely populated area of The Villages. This happens all the time.

The on-line newspaper article made it appear that the removal was only due to the gator's having eaten a duck-- a practice in which gators naturally engage--tough on the duck, but a gator has to eat to survive. However, this gator would have been removed from Lake Mira Mar, sooner or later, even if the duck-eating incident had never occurred. The fact that the gator, instead of keeping a low profile, was indiscreet and ate in public during the daytime--thereby calling attention to itself, only hastened its eventual departure.

Tough on the gator, but people don't like being eaten or chewed on by large reptilian creatures, and The Villages is OUR natural habitat-- not the gator's.

[gerryann]

I suspect that this whole thread may have been provoked by a poorly written article in the Villages on-line newspaper.

The basic situation really seems to have been that there was an alligator, of a size that it would make it dangerous to us humans, removed from a densely populated area of The Villages. This happens all the time.

The on-line newspaper article made it appear that the removal was only due to the gator's having eaten a duck-- a practice in which gators naturally engage--tough on the duck, but a gator has to eat to survive. However, this gator would have been removed from Lake Mira Mar, sooner or later, even if the duck-eating incident had never occurred. The fact that the gator, instead of keeping a low profile, was indiscreet and ate in public during the daytime--thereby calling attention to itself, only hastened its eventual departure.


Tough on the gator, but people don't like being eaten or chewed on by large reptilian creatures, and The Villages is OUR natural habitat-- not the gator's.

Ridiculous!!! Can't even put into words how ridiculous this post is. YIKES!!!

[Bosoxfan]

I suspect that this whole thread may have been provoked by a poorly written article in the Villages on-line newspaper.

The basic situation really seems to have been that there was an alligator, of a size that it would make it dangerous to us humans, removed from a densely populated area of The Villages. This happens all the time.

The on-line newspaper article made it appear that the removal was only due to the gator's having eaten a duck-- a practice in which gators naturally engage--tough on the duck, but a gator has to eat to survive. However, this gator would have been removed from Lake Mira Mar, sooner or later, even if the duck-eating incident had never occurred. The fact that the gator, instead of keeping a low profile, was indiscreet and ate in public during the daytime--thereby calling attention to itself, only hastened its eventual departure.

Tough on the gator, but people don't like being eaten or chewed on by large reptilian creatures, and The Villages is OUR natural habitat-- not the gator's.

What?? You're kidding right?? Our natural habitat. Not the gators?:shrug:

[Shimpy]

The Villages is OUR natural habitat-- not the gator's.

What??? They were here long before us and toy boats eating what nature provided for them.

[perrjojo]

i know most of these posts are in jest and I get the jokes but this is truly a travisity. Alligators eat ducks. It's natures way. We live in the gators habitat. Please do not feed or approach the wildlife as it disturbs natures balance. I hope there is more to this story but if not.....shame on those who made the decision to euthanize the gator. Ducks are cute..alligators, not so much, but that cannot be our critieror for killing.

[perrjojo]

What??? They were here long before us and toy boats eating what nature provided for them.

So true. We are guest in the gators habitat. Why do we insist on moving in and killing all of the former inhabitants.

[virgind]

i dont like spiders and snakes and I hate ducks

[manaboutown]

I suspect that this whole thread may have been provoked by a poorly written article in the Villages on-line newspaper.

The basic situation really seems to have been that there was an alligator, of a size that it would make it dangerous to us humans, removed from a densely populated area of The Villages. This happens all the time.

The on-line newspaper article made it appear that the removal was only due to the gator's having eaten a duck-- a practice in which gators naturally engage--tough on the duck, but a gator has to eat to survive. However, this gator would have been removed from Lake Mira Mar, sooner or later, even if the duck-eating incident had never occurred. The fact that the gator, instead of keeping a low profile, was indiscreet and ate in public during the daytime--thereby calling attention to itself, only hastened its eventual departure.

Tough on the gator, but people don't like being eaten or chewed on by large reptilian creatures, and The Villages is OUR natural habitat-- not the gator's.

Well, dogs, cats and even humans might have eventually come up on that gator's menu. The duck was just its starter course. When people establish communities some wildlife are inevitably displaced. Wonder what animals once lived in NYC, Boston and LA before the folks arrived and settled down?

[kcrazorbackfan]

The gator has been trapped and will be killed. The duck has been euthanized.
The small gator was only hunting food in a pond, which is nature's way.
If you read this story in the National Enquirer, you wouldn't believe it.
Whoever made the decision to trap and kill this small gator should be held accountable for making a ridiculous decision.


I totally agree. THIS WAS A DUCK; not a human, nor a pet. Thousands of ducks are killed every year by hunters; should hunters be captured and relocated? It was doing what gators have done since their existence; nature taking care of nature. This was a bonehead kneejerk reaction by Florida Wildlife probably because of the idiot who momentarily lost all common sense and pulled the duck away from the gator.

[Cedwards38]

First of all, I'm sorry for the duck, but gators are carnivores! We are going to kill it for doing what nature intended for it to do? Maybe then we need to contact Disney and have them install audio animatronic gators!

[Johnd]

Another voice for the gator. Would prefer a vegetarian gator but that's not how it works.

[Topspinmo]

The gator habit has been reduced. Google map Florida you will rows of houses, cities, ect.. which means the gator, black bear, bobcat, coyote, cougar, ect... lost majority of there habits. The aliens mainly from northern states took it. Just like they pushed out nature back home. Some call it progress?

[villagerjack]

The gator has been trapped and will be killed. The duck has been euthanized.
The small gator was only hunting food in a pond, which is nature's way.
If you read this story in the National Enquirer, you wouldn't believe it.
Whoever made the decision to trap and kill this small gator should be held accountable for making a ridiculous decision.


Agree completely. This is a travesty.

[villagerjack]

Well, dogs, cats and even humans might have eventually come up on that gator's menu. The duck was just its starter course. When people establish communities some wildlife are inevitably displaced. Wonder what animals once lived in NYC, Boston and LA before the folks arrived and settled down?

I live in NY, visited LA and Boston and the animals are still there:icon_wink:

[HimandMe]

When I first came to Florida decades ago, I remember hearing on the radio that there was as many gators in Florida as people and thousands of calls to get big ones out of backyards. They are still here and not in short supply. Actually on a nature program, it showed alligators, snakes and reptiles (and believe it or not chickens) are the few creatures to survive a war with radiation. (Hope I got that right). I don't worry about the future of alligators and welcome the huge or aggressive ones leaving my domain.

Yet chickens...that is something to ponder.

[Taltarzac725]

Villagers in the Castaways RC Model Boat Club were at the lake on the morning when the attack took place. One of the club members pulled the injured duck from the water. from the other news site.

They were probably yelling at the gator which let go of the duck which was then picked up out of the water by the RC Model Boat Club member near the shore. It sounds like they got rid of the gator because of how bold it was to make this attack in front of people.

Sorry to hear that Gator Gus moved away?

[Shimpy]

from the other news site.

It sounds like they got rid of the gator because of how bold it was to make this attack in front of people.
?

Gators are not aware of people watching them eat. Being bold isn't in the question. These people witnessed how gators eat and survive and saw what the real world is in nature. He was only eating what was available to him and that's what gators do.

[Taltarzac725]

Gators are not aware of people watching them eat. Being bold isn't in the question. These people witnessed how gators eat and survive and saw what the real world is in nature. He was only eating what was available to him and that's what gators do.

Gators are fairly aware of their surroundings would be my guess. That gator does seem to fit in the parameters of a nuisance alligator.

[Kahuna32162]

When are going to start getting rid of the nuisance RC boaters, playing in the gators habitat?

[twoplanekid]

I am wondering if the 8ft. gator that patrols the wharf at Lake Sumter will be next. When I was in TV last week, I witnessed a lady throwing things into the water to attract the gator’s interest which it did. Others complained to her but she stated “She was only feeding the ducks”. I saw this gator for three consecutive days watching and waiting for something to fall. I made sure as to not lean too far over the ropes and then slip.

[Barefoot]

When are going to start getting rid of the nuisance RC boaters, playing in the gators habitat?
:evil6:

[marlinguy]

Personally, I like duck as long as it's prepared properly. Now a gator, he/she isn't quite as picky as I am but it is on the menu so he/she can have it well, under done. In the end we both have a taste for duck, the only difference being how it's prepared to our liking. On the other hand, I don't care for dog,,,,,

[joldnol]

Members of the RC Boat Club should be ashamed of their appalling ignorance. The Gator is dead because of the bozo "duck hero" that called attention to the "aggressive gator". 3.5 foot gator is small and should have been at worse relocated. But because the idiots complained of aggression it is now dead. Shame on them and if they continue to be so uninformed they would do all of us a favor and move back to where they came from.

[manaboutown]

Members of the RC Boat Club should be ashamed of their appalling ignorance. The Gator is dead because of the bozo "duck hero" that called attention to the "aggressive gator". 3.5 foot gator is small and should have been at worse relocated. But because the idiots complained of aggression it is now dead. Shame on them and if they continue to be so uninformed they would do all of us a favor and move back to where they came from.

May they have been concerned the gator would chomp down on one of their boats next?

[delima2000]

I have also,seen people at lake Sumter feed the turtles not seeing the alligator laying at the bottom waiting for food. We have spotted him 3 different times this week. A boy was at the ropes and calling for the alligator and then the gator came up out of the water. I felt it was scary the the child has hanging over the ropes and didn't have any fear of the gator. Please people don't feed the wild life.

[Gerald]

I eat ducks. I better watch out for a gov. trap.:pepper2:

[Gerald]

I eat ducks also. I better watch out for a gov. trap

[billethkid]

At Gator Land they feed them raw chicken.....very duck like menu!

[Barefoot]

Members of the RC Boat Club should be ashamed of their appalling ignorance. The Gator is dead because of the bozo "duck hero" that called attention to the "aggressive gator". 3.5 foot gator is small and should have been at worse relocated. But because the idiots complained of aggression it is now dead. Shame on them and if they continue to be so uninformed they would do all of us a favor and move back to where they came from.
The story in the online newspaper indicated the duck lost a leg and had to be euthanized. I'm sure the "duck hero" had good intentions, but the duck probably suffered more from being rescued than if he'd been eaten by the gator. A small gator was destroyed because he was simply hunting for food. That is just wrong! :ohdear:

[tomwed]

I wonder how removing all the alligators would impact the ecosystem. They are not an endangered species. Maybe they are in the everglades but that due to water pollution. If they live elsewhere that's better than being hunted one at a time. Maybe more people would look for golf balls and that's not good.

In south jersey where I'm from the squirrel population where people live is far greater than deeper in the woods where there are more snakes.

I'm not sure where I stand on this topic.

[Kahuna32162]

Maybe we limit more and more humans and RC boaters....ect... from the natural inhabitants of the environment. I sometimes wonder what is the more evolved species.

[simpkinp]

I just know I will be reading this story in a tabloid or magazine article. I read "The Week" magazine that finds interesting stories from around the world. The Villages has been in it before. It's usually under the section titled "Only in America".

[CFrance]

I just know I will be reading this story in a tabloid or magazine article. I read "The Week" magazine that finds interesting stories from around the world. The Villages has been in it before. It's usually under the section titled "Only in America".
Do us a favor and don't bring it back up when you see it!:laugh:

[firewalkerb3]

Allow me to introduce myself; I am you Alligator Trapper for the State of Florida with the Villages in my area. I have been working the Villages area for the past 4 years after retiring from the Fire service after 35 years; I also served in the U.S.A Army and the Florida National Guard. Trapping alligators in the Villages is not done without a lot of thought and research involving Biologists; however public safety is number one. Each and every individual determines what they perceive as safe, and has the right to what is a reasonable expectation of safety. When an alligator loses it fear of humans it becomes a very dangerous predator, make no mistake about it. Some of the alligators that are removed are distroyed with out question; we can not take an aggressive alligator and put it in somone pond. Most are relocated to larger bodies of water if possible. As far as a alligator being removed from the one of the two ponds I know of that R/C boats are operating in. In 4 years I removed two from the pond in Ashland, both relocated and one from the pond at Spainsh Springs also relocated. All were well over a year ago, I have no knowlage of any being removed for 2015.

[gerryann]

Allow me to introduce myself; I am you Alligator Trapper for the State of Florida with the Villages in my area. I have been working the Villages area for the past 4 years after retiring from the Fire service after 35 years; I also served in the U.S.A Army and the Florida National Guard. Trapping alligators in the Villages is not done without a lot of thought and research involving Biologists; however public safety is number one. Each and every individual determines what they perceive as safe, and has the right to what is a reasonable expectation of safety. When an alligator loses it fear of humans it becomes a very dangerous predator, make no mistake about it. Some of the alligators that are removed are distroyed with out question; we can not take an aggressive alligator and put it in somone pond. Most are relocated to larger bodies of water if possible. As far as a alligator being removed from the one of the two ponds I know of that R/C boats are operating in. In 4 years I removed two from the pond in Ashland, both relocated and one from the pond at Spainsh Springs also relocated. All were well over a year ago, I have no knowlage of any being removed for 2015.

That's very interesting and I'm happy to hear that the ones you removed were saved. I wonder who it was that removed the "duck eater"? Still irritates me that it was removed at all since it was only having a meal and showed absolutely no aggression.. I hate that some folks move here, but don't want to share it with the natural habitat.

Thanks for relocating gators and not destroying them. I lived in a county recently that had a bounty on them and they were constantly destroyed.

Thanks for your service. :)

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I wonder how removing all the alligators would impact the ecosystem. They are not an endangered species. Maybe they are in the everglades but that due to water pollution. If they live elsewhere that's better than being hunted one at a time. Maybe more people would look for golf balls and that's not good.

In south jersey where I'm from the squirrel population where people live is far greater than deeper in the woods where there are more snakes.

I'm not sure where I stand on this topic.

When I lived in Florida back int he 80s, alligators were an endangered species. Hunting them was banned for several years. After a period of time, they flourished and became a nuisance so alligator hunting was brought back. I don't think that they are anywhere near being endangered now. Florida Fish and Game is managing the gator population just fine these days.

[firewalkerb3]

So would I like to know who and when. It was not an authorized removal.

[Walter123]

I would bet the gator was not trapped for attacking a duck. That's what they do. But rather for losing his fear of people and getting too close to people near the water. He will be killed for meat and hide.

Come on, how is going to hide if he is killed?

[Jima64]

That's very interesting and I'm happy to hear that the ones you removed were saved. I wonder who it was that removed the "duck eater"? Still irritates me that it was removed at all since it was only having a meal and showed absolutely no aggression.. I hate that some folks move here, but don't want to share it with the natural habitat.

Thanks for relocating gators and not destroying them. I lived in a county recently that had a bounty on them and they were constantly destroyed.

Thanks for your service. :)

I wonder what happens when the ducks get so abundant they start pooping on the lawns while feeding? Doubt if the removing or hunting of a few gators every year knocks down the population that much.

[Jima64]

One side benefit is when you see ducks swimming around there ain't no alligator

At least not a hungry one for the time being.

[Jima64]

If you ask me that duck was asking for trouble.

Turtles are a bigproblem for ducks also. They latch on and drown the ducks then eat them. Of course fido is safe from them. Too slow.

[Gerald]

I saw a duck fighting with a gator. The duck won. I want to know when will they set traps to get these dangerous ducks out of here.

[tomwed]

It's a little off topic but yesterday it was raining cats and dogs and I stepped in a poodle.

[Sandtrap328]

It's a little off topic but yesterday it was raining cats and dogs and I stepped in a poodle.

You could get back on topic if had said you were wearing Crocs. :)

[JP]

I saw a hawk kill a mockingbird today. I guess they should trap the hawk. NOT! Animals eat other animals. It is just the way it is. Sure, ducks are cute but if they weren't being killed and eaten by other animals, there would be way to many of them. It's just part of the balance of nature. On a darker note, nobody is killing and eating humans. We have overpopulated the planet and are ruining it.

[Barefoot]

It's a little off topic but yesterday it was raining cats and dogs and I stepped in a poodle.

You could get back on topic if had said you were wearing Crocs. :)
:clap2: Good one Sandtrap.

[rubicon]

It's a little off topic but yesterday it was raining cats and dogs and I stepped in a poodle.

Well I'll stay with the message and tell everyone that I hate to rain on their parade but pelicans eat baby ducks.

The reaction concerning the guy that shot a lion in Africa demonstrates how far people in this country are removed from the realities of life. Sarah Palin's hunt for a moose killing and skinning it on TV caused an uproar and so did a show that sent teens to fend for themselves as they killed and plucked a chicken.

Geezzz

[Vic&Judy]

Were any rights violated here?? What was the ethnicity of the duck? Religious persuasion??? Was the duck gay? Transgender perhaps???

We could be looking at a civil rights case or a hate crime here.

[duhbear]

One side benefit is when you see ducks swimming around there ain't no alligator

But beware of the treacherous "judas" ducks in the employ of the sly alligators!

[Jima64]

It's a little off topic but yesterday it was raining cats and dogs and I stepped in a poodle.

That is so funny Tom.:a040:

[DonH57]

I still say the duck had it coming.