Just when you think you've seen it all....

[duffysmom]

While driving my cart past the pond near the 1st hole of Riley Grove (Palmer) I saw a large alligator on the bank of the pond. A cart was pulled up to the fence and evidentially a man with a small child (maybe 6 yrs old) had climbed over the fence and was walking toward the alligator. Having lived in Florida for many years I know what an alligator can do and I didn't want to scream at him and startle the gator so I took off not wanting to witness what could be a disaster. I feel terrible about leaving but other than tackle the guy what could I do.....:shrug: I'm not proud of myself.

[faithfulfrank]

I feel sorry for the little boy.
The police should have been called....I would guess climbing that fence is against the law.

The guy? Well, you can't fix stupid. If gators eat the dumb ones, the whole boat floats higher and the gene pool is a bit healthier.

[mike barkley]

not to worry....whens the last time you heard of a gator attacking a man on land. im sure he ran away as soon as he saw the man approaching. now in the water it may be another thing!

[Russ_Boston]

Granted the alligator isn't going to attack this guy but let's admit it is still a stupid thing to do with a young kid. That kid could bolt and then who knows how the alligator will react.

[Allen]

Living in Tampa years ago there were two separate attacks that I recall right after we moved there. Both close to (but not in the water). One child, and one dog. Both were killed. Don't even get near gators... no matter where they are.

[redwitch]

We supposedly lost the bison because of this type of stupidity and they only bumped a child. I hate to imagine what would happen if a gator was startled and bit the child. I truly hate stupidity like that. I'd definitely be on the phone to 911 and praying nothing happened before idiot and child left the area.

Wonder if the dum-dum knows gators can run over 35 mph on land? Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!!!!! And I know this and I'm not even from Florida (California ain't got no steekin gators.)

[bkcunningham1]

I thought we lost the bison because of the introduction of the horse by the Spaniards and over hunting for hides and meat. So much for my history books.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. The gator thing is dangerous. But duffysmom, IMHO you didn't do anything wrong. It was the man who climbed the fence. If I had a nickle (buffalo would be better) for everytime I've bitten my tongue when I've seen people doing something stupid, I'd have alot of nickles

[Talk Host]

I could not have left the scene without intervening. I can't imagine how I would have felt if later I learned that the child had been killed.

[smsgtdaves]

I'm from Pennsylvania and I don't know too much about gaters other then they have big teeth and should not stick your head in their mouth. Aren't they like most animals up here, they stay away from you if you don't bother them. They don't come up out of the water and attack you do they?

[Talk Host]

I'm from Pennsylvania and I don't know too much about gaters other then they have big teeth and should not stick your head in their mouth. Aren't they like most animals up here, they stay away from you if you don't bother them. They don't come up out of the water and attack you do they?

I would never go near a gator under any circumstances. If they have young babies near-by, they will attack. Trust me.

[redwitch]

ANY animal will attack when threatened. Gators have been known to attack just cause they can (rarely, but), not just because they're threatened or hungry. I certainly wouldn't take the chance and I most certainly would not put a child in danger.

[salpal]

Maybe when you buy in TV you have to sign a document with common sense rules. We cannot assume everyone has common sense. What an idiot grandparent, the same kind that allows grandkids to drive golf carts. Did their brains retire too?

[Pturner]

I could not have left the scene without intervening. I can't imagine how I would have felt if later I learned that the child had been killed.

Intervening in what way, TH? Duffysmom has a point that creating any disturbance could have scared the alligator into attack. Calling 911, as some posters have stated, is a good suggestion. What else might be done in such circumstance, without making it worse?

[Talk Host]

Intervening in what way, TH? Duffysmom has a point that creating any disturbance could have scared the alligator into attack. Calling 911, as some posters have stated, is a good suggestion. What else might be done in such circumstance, without making it worse?


I'm not suggesting a "disturbance." I would have been inclined to say, "you can do what you want, but alligators are very dangerous animals. Are you sure you want to get your child that close?"

[duffysmom]

TH, when I saw the man and child they were too far away from me to talk to them without shouting, loudly. I considered calling 911 but by the time they responded it would be a done deal. If I could do it all over again, I would call 911 with the hope that if they survived he would be ticketed for tresspassing since they had to walk across several people's properties to get the the gator.:oops: Fortunately nothing serious happened or we would have heard. I'm not proud of myself and hope that in future situations I would be braver. Maybe I need to take some alligator wrestling classes.:boxing2:

[Talk Host]

I'm not proud of myself and hope that in future situations I would be braver.

Your hesitation is understandable. A quick process of the situation would include the thought that if this person is unstable enough to approach an alligator, who knows what else he is capable of doing. The natural inclination is to go about your business and hope for the best.

My quickness to barge into these types of things is an embarrassment to my family and some friends. However, I make no apologies for attempting to right wrongs when I see them. I am also willing to meet, head on, whatever consequences there may be. Not everybody, thankfully, is wired like me.

[Pturner]

TH, when I saw the man and child they were too far away from me to talk to them without shouting, loudly. I considered calling 911 but by the time they responded it would be a done deal. If I could do it all over again, I would call 911 with the hope that if they survived he would be ticketed for tresspassing since they had to walk across several people's properties to get the the gator.:oops: Fortunately nothing serious happened or we would have heard. I'm not proud of myself and hope that in future situations I would be braver. Maybe I need to take some alligator wrestling classes.:boxing2:

Well, I'm proud of you for posting about it. It's hard to know what to do on the spur of the moment. However, you've given all of us a chance to consider what might be done in a similar circumstance. Turns out, not much, other than calling 911. Thanks for sharing the circumstance for thoughtful consideration.

[Russ_Boston]

Just want to clear up one misconception:

Yes, alligators can run very fast but only for very, very short distances. Basically if you are 8-10 feet away and have room to move you are not going to be in danger. Mythbusters did a segment on it and were testing if the famous zigzag running would help. What they found is that a gator is not a marathon runner. They have a very fast initial burst but after that first gasp they stop charging. Not only did the zigzag work but even just backing up fast would do the trick. They built an elaborate zigzag robot and didn't even need it.

But having said that I'm still not getting in their way!

[biker]

According to information on the internet, top speed for gators, on land, is 10mph. Their ambush speed, coming out of the water, is probably faster.

[nkrifats]

Russ, good idea

[The Great Fumar]

COME ON GUYS!!!!
That gator at Palmer is only 3 1/2 ft long max...He is a practically a pet, people bring their guests there to see him.......They have signs that say "PLEASE DO NOT STEP ON THE ALLIGATOR " He is a baby and you can't get close to him.........
For your info, when gators get to 5 ft. in length they are trapped and removed ......When we moved here we were told that they were taken to silver springs in Ocala and put with the other gators on display....We have sense been told that this is not true , They are disposed of .......
I have been hoping that some of the doggies would be trapped and taken to Ocala and turned loose with the other doggies.......So far, it has fallen on deaf ears...........

WE DO OUR PART ..fumar :highfive:

[Pturner]

COME ON GUYS!!!!
That gator at Palmer is only 3 1/2 ft long max...He is a practically a pet, people bring their guests there to see him.......They have signs that say "PLEASE DO NOT STEP ON THE ALLIGATOR " He is a baby and you can't get close to him.........
For your info, when gators get to 5 ft. in length they are trapped and removed ......When we moved here we were told that they were taken to silver springs in Ocala and put with the other gators on display....We have sense been told that this is not true , They are disposed of .......
I have been hoping that some of the doggies would be trapped and taken to Ocala and turned loose with the other doggies.......So far, it has fallen on deaf ears...........

WE DO OUR PART ..fumar :highfive:

Fumar, are you off your meds AGAIN?

[Russ_Boston]

Fumar may be joking but I have a pic of a gator in the pond next to #2 hole at Cane on Bailey trail that is at least 8 feet long if he/she? is an inch. Maybe that's why there's an inordinate number of lost doggy reports in Sunset Pointe? :)

[GatbTester]

There is a reason all the ponds have fences.........just be smart enough to obey them! PERIOD!!We can think, animals only respond.

[redwitch]

TH, when I saw the man and child they were too far away from me to talk to them without shouting, loudly. I considered calling 911 but by the time they responded it would be a done deal. If I could do it all over again, I would call 911 with the hope that if they survived he would be ticketed for tresspassing since they had to walk across several people's properties to get the the gator.:oops: Fortunately nothing serious happened or we would have heard. I'm not proud of myself and hope that in future situations I would be braver. Maybe I need to take some alligator wrestling classes.:boxing2:

You have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of! Like TH, I'm one of those idiots who jumps in and thinks of repercussions later. Heck, I once chased a thief through one of the worst projects in New Orleans (even the cops don't go in there). You reasoned that (1) you were too far away to safely warn the dolt; (2) you didn't want to risk startling the gator by shouting; and (3) 911 response would come too late. That was some pretty quick thinking and absolutely right.

Not only that, you had the courage to post it here with the risk that you would be condemned for not jumping over the fence and "rescuing" the child. More importantly, you posted a great reminder about the dangers of climbing over the fence to pet the wild critters. So, rather than being ashamed of you, this witch is very proud of you! You did a good thing with this thread.

Oh, and, Fumar, since they're "pets," you gonna take one home with you the next time you go by the pond? I think it would definitely keep the dogs off your lawn.

[dillywho]

Just want to clear up one misconception:

Yes, alligators can run very fast but only for very, very short distances. Basically if you are 8-10 feet away and have room to move you are not going to be in danger. Mythbusters did a segment on it and were testing if the famous zigzag running would help. What they found is that a gator is not a marathon runner. They have a very fast initial burst but after that first gasp they stop charging. Not only did the zigzag work but even just backing up fast would do the trick. They built an elaborate zigzag robot and didn't even need it.

But having said that I'm still not getting in their way!

Maybe Florida gators are different. We were driving east on 466 one day, when a gator came across the road from Tierra del Sol at what looked to me to be a very high rate of speed (you know how busy 466 is) and we watched him all the way to Sumter Lake (or whatever it's called). He never slowed down and that was definitely more than 10-15 feet. He did, however, "fly" in a straight line. I remarked to my hubby when it happened, "Wow, I didn't know they could run like that!" I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it.

I can't imagine anyone being dense enough to go over a fence "to get a closer look", mess with them, or whatever. Maybe the gator realized he didn't have any brains and so he wouldn't make a good meal. Seriously, I don't think he realizes just how lucky he and the child are. I doubt he would agree if he were told.

[mrdills]

I just came back from a trip to the Everglades National Park last week and what a nice trip, if you haven't got the chance to go I would highly suggest going. We learned alot about the alligators and took a 15 mile tram ride through the Everglades that lasted about 2 1/1 hrs. We learned that the alligators don't like humans because no one feeds them and they just mind there own business. If you are caught feeding them its a hefty fine. One of the things we learned about Alligators they will go up to 35 MPH. With all the talk of zig and zag running from a Alligators don't believe it, the best way to get away from them is just run as fast as you can because that can't run for long periods of time. I can't tell you how many we saw but it was alot, and most of the time we were only about 15-20 feet away. Its so unbelievable to watch the Alligators in there natural habitat, they are more scared of us then we are of them. Getting back to the story of the ones in the Villages you just don't know if anyone has feed them so just be careful before getting to close.

[mulligan]

mrdills-did any of your tourguides mention the pythons that seem to be invading south florida? I read the naples paper frequently, and it seems they are mentioned almost every day.

[Pat_RI]

I heard they are going to have an open season on pythons due to the amount of them. They have no natural enemies in FL.

[Bogie Shooter]

I heard they are going to have an open season on pythons due to the amount of them. They have no natural enemies in FL.
An unknown number also died during the severe cold weather.

[DeafDeaf]

Where is the black and white policy that once it is over 5 feet, this gator has to be disposed or relocated? I saw one in Sandhill course - pretty over 6-7 feet long - still watching us playing golf. Do I have to remind the golf ambassdor about this?

[duffysmom]

Thank you all for your kind remarks about my alligator saga.