Alligators

[Whatever]

Has anyone seen the alligators within the last month? In my excursions around the Villages and the various golf courses I have not seen any. I'm wondering if they have been removed for safety reasons. Any sightings?????

[duffysmom]

Saw one yesterday at Palmer. Nice size too.

[fizzbyn]

A few weeks ago we saw a police car with flashing lights parked on the west side of Buena Vista, across from the Palmer gator-pond. On our way back from 466, there were more police cars and a few golf carts lined up watching. Seems an 11.5 ft, 400 lb alligator had crossed Buena Vista and bit a 3-inch hole in one of the police car bumpers. When we got there, he was partially hidden in the bushes, but we could make out his head from a distance once it was pointed out. He didn't move after that. Apparently his mouth was bleeding, injured from the bumper bite. They called a gator removal company who finally showed up in a white truck with an aluminum boat on top. The girl was wearing a tank top and shorts... not my idea of what one should wear for gator retrieval. The police kept coming across the street to give us updates and they finally told us that the gator had to be put down because he was injured, aggressive and unafraid of people, so to be prepared for a gun shot. The shot came and the gator was hauled into the back of the truck and was gone. Sad to see that had to happen. We love our alligators... from a distance.

[graciegirl]

a few weeks ago we saw a police car with flashing lights parked on the west side of buena vista, across from the palmer gator-pond. On our way back from 466, there were more police cars and a few golf carts lined up watching. Seems an 11.5 ft, 400 lb alligator had crossed buena vista and bit a 3-inch hole in one of the police car bumpers. When we got there, he was partially hidden in the bushes, but we could make out his head from a distance once it was pointed out. He didn't move after that. Apparently his mouth was bleeding, injured from the bumper bite. They called a gator removal company who finally showed up in a white truck with an aluminum boat on top. The girl was wearing a tank top and shorts... Not my idea of what one should wear for gator retrieval. The police kept coming across the street to give us updates and they finally told us that the gator had to be put down because he was injured, aggressive and unafraid of people, so to be prepared for a gun shot. The shot came and the gator was hauled into the back of the truck and was gone. Sad to see that had to happen. We love our alligators... From a distance.


oh my gosh!!!

[Yoda]

Don't most gators go north for the summer? ?Or, was that frogs?

:a040::a040::a040:

Yoda

[K9-Lovers]

Poor thing. He was probably so afraid, and trying so hard to protect himself. Wonder why he came out of the water?

[Pturner]

Poor thing. He was probably so afraid, and trying so hard to protect himself. Wonder why he came out of the water?

I'm with you. It's sad he had to be put down. :sad:

[Boudicca]

Saw a medium size alligator (big enough for me to exclaim, OMG) as he sunbathed on the pond bank at Turtle Mound.

[Bogie Shooter]

Saw about a 7 footer at Turtle Mound on Thursday. Smaller one at the pond on Riley Groove #9. They are still here.

[Bogie Shooter]

unafraid of people,

Probably because the same idiots that fed the Buffalo, now are feeding the gators.
Will they ever learn?

[graciegirl]

Not me. I didn't feed either. I am afraid of both.

Bit a hole in a police cruiser??

From the Fiddler on the roof;

"Bless them and keep them far away from us!"

[spk7951]

Saw one yesterday in the pond next to hole #1 Riley Grove and two different ones last week in the ponds on Bonita Pass.

[Rag Bagger]

They can be everywhere. I saw a little one maybe three feet in the pond near Colony Plaza.

[grayesun]

Critique-ing (sp?) my game...a few days ago, yeah he was watching us as we played 17th at Tierra del Sol. Pretty sure he made wise cracks about my tee shot and my partners shoes.

[spk7951]

They can be everywhere. I saw a little one maybe three feet in the pond near Colony Plaza.


And back in June he or she stopped to visit one of our neighbors.

http://i1029.photobucket.com/albums/y359/spk7951/Backyard_Gator_6-16-10-1.jpg

[Pturner]

Gracie,
Close you're eyes. Right now. Please don't look....








http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2681/31/72/1549311912/n1549311912_30065784_4844291.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30065711&id=1549311912)

That's me, ten or so years ago. All dressed up and holding an aligator. Long story.

[BobKat1]

At first glance, I thought it was a purse.

[Whalen]

Golf in the evenings with friends at Turtle Mound.

Usually have a gator or two, a pair of cranes, numerous other birds and an occasional "field mouse" for company.

Also enjoy the most magnificant sunsets...we just love it!

[BobKat1]

Golf in the evenings with friends at Turtle Mound.

Usually have a gator or two, a pair of cranes, numerous other birds and an occasional "field mouse" for company.

Also enjoy the most magnificant sunsets...we just love it!

That sounds like a beautiful setting.

[K9-Lovers]

That's me, ten or so years ago. All dressed up and holding an aligator. Long story.

Okay, we are all ready to hear the long story. . . go ahead . . . we're listening . . :popcorn:

[pooh]

I want to hear the story, too.

And then watch this.....OMG!....Will this be our beloved pt when that little creature grows up???.... ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbjO4g4CctE

[grayesun]

We're all familiar with pick your own lobster from tank to eat...this must be a pick your own purse arrangement...very impressive & chic :coolsmiley:

[duffysmom]

Pt, love the glam look.. very attractive and I want to hear the whole story.:popcorn:

[Pturner]

I want to hear the story, too.

And then watch this.....OMG!....Will this be our beloved pt when that little creature grows up???.... ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbjO4g4CctE

I draw the line at crocodiles. I will admit though that I think he's beautiful. All creatures are, in their own way. Ok, maybe not cockroaches.

About the alligator: It's a heartening story actually. The GA Dept. of Natural Resources sponsors an annual program for utility executives called Weekend for Wildlife at Sea Island, with excursions to some of the state's pristine barrier islands. The purpose is to educate utililty offials about fragile ecological systems to encourage utilities to protect important environmental resources and non-game wildlife. I was the public affairs manager for an electric utility at the time.

On Friday evening of the annal event, there is a formal silent auction with proceeds benefiting wildlife protection. Professionals who rehabilitate injured wildlife bring various species, mingle with the crowd and answer questions about the particular animal they have brought, it's habitat, how it was injured and is cared for, etc. It is awesome. There are a variety of owls and other birds, as well as (Gracie, please stop right here if you are reading this) alligators, snakes of various stripes and colors, and other creatures. There was even a magnificent bald eagle. It was delightful to see an owl right beside you turn its head 360 degrees.

Up close and properly handled, all of these animals, including the snakes, are simply magnificent. And I must say, when utility execs get to know these creatures up close and personal-- "in person," so to speak-- they have more appreciation for the animals and the ecosystem.

This particular alligator was injured as an infant, still quite young and used to folks. The handler showed be how and let me hold him. Don't remember his weight, but he was heavier than he looks. :)

The barrier island excursions are in groups of no more than 12, lead by an expert or two who make sure you look and don't touch. Another quick story. I went on one with eight people. Two of the people were Roselyn and Jimmy Carter. No political comments please, that's just who was there. In person, they were knowledgable, friendly and gracious.

[graciegirl]

Oh P! What haven't you done? You had me at your being a pilot!

After reading this and the thread on all of the truly remarkable things done by villagers I wonder if anyone will let me sit next to them.

And P, I can't believe that picture was ten years ago. You drinking the water from the fountain of youth? You look the same to me which is darn glamorous!

I still don't like alligators. I wonder why their mom thinks their cute.:shrug:

[TednRobin]

I know I will get flack for this comment but I feel they should be removed from populated areas. I know they are native to Florida but should be removed when possible.

[bkcunningham1]

Gracie,
Close you're eyes. Right now. Please don't look....








http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2681/31/72/1549311912/n1549311912_30065784_4844291.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30065711&id=1549311912)

That's me, ten or so years ago. All dressed up and holding an aligator. Long story.


See what happens when you go from journalism to PR Cuz?

[Pturner]

Oh P! What haven't you done? You had me at your being a pilot!

After reading this and the thread on all of the truly remarkable things done by villagers I wonder if anyone will let me sit next to them.

And P, I can't believe that picture was ten years ago. You drinking the water from the fountain of youth? You look the same to me which is darn glamorous!

I still don't like alligators. I wonder why their mom thinks their cute.:shrug:

I am just thanking my lucky stars you will still sit next to me, even though I have great affection for "creepy" creatures.

[Pturner]

See what happens when you go from journalism to PR Cuz?

Yeah, but Gracie still loves me. :pepper2:

[teachnmo]

At about 5 o'clock today there was an about 7 ft. alligator at the edge of the water at the 2nd hole green. It opened it's mouth really wide, closed it, and went back to swimming in the water.

[K9-Lovers]

Great story, P -- thanks for sharing. You look so happy in that photo; it must've been fun holding that little guy.

[tudacee]

Not sure I'm so thrilled about the alligators! Has anyone been hurt by them? I heard they can move real fast. How about dogs...we have a villa, so there it is enclosed, would that be sufficient to let my Romeo outside? (we wouldn't let him out anywhere else, unless on a leash...or at a dog park? Any alligators at the dog parks)...okay, I'm obsessive, I know that...new to TV and a bit apprehensive about Alligators...(from CT)

:loco:

[wilsonem]

What a BAD-A** gator to attack the LAW!
I'm surprised there are any left after watching Swamp Men, Billy the Exterminator, and Animal Extractors.

[BritParrothead]

Saw two in the lake by the Lighthouse resataurant in June, about 4 foot long.
One of the ladies I met while staying in Winifred said she had called 911, one day because there was one on here front lawn!!
Most nights, we would see families feeding the fish and the turtles in the lake at Sumter!! There are signs all along the fence, but no one takes notice :confused:

[K9-Lovers]

Not sure I'm so thrilled about the alligators! Has anyone been hurt by them? I heard they can move real fast. How about dogs...we have a villa, so there it is enclosed, would that be sufficient to let my Romeo outside? (we wouldn't let him out anywhere else, unless on a leash...or at a dog park? Any alligators at the dog parks)...okay, I'm obsessive, I know that...new to TV and a bit apprehensive about Alligators...(from CT)

:loco:

Your courtyard villa is safe for Romeo, but I wouldn't leave him outside unattended if he is small because there are large, predatory birds that can swoop down on little dogs. Keep Romeo on a leash when walking everywhere else and don't walk him next to the edge of a pond, lake, deep ditch, etc.

It's true that alligators can run very fast, but only for a short spurt. If you keep away from the water's edge, you have no worries. There are no gators at the dog parks.

[BogeyBoy]

At about 5 o'clock today there was an about 7 ft. alligator at the edge of the water at the 2nd hole green. It opened it's mouth really wide, closed it, and went back to swimming in the water.

Not long ago I hit my ball over the back of that green. The alligator was there on the bank. It wasn't a lost ball but I called it an unplayable lie. (My leg is worth more than one stroke.) Wonder what they would do in a professional tournament? I know there was one on the 17th at the TPC but I don't think it ever interfered with play.

[tudacee]

Your courtyard villa is safe for Romeo, but I wouldn't leave him outside unattended if he is small because there are large, predatory birds that can swoop down on little dogs. Keep Romeo on a leash when walking everywhere else and don't walk him next to the edge of a pond, lake, deep ditch, etc.

It's true that alligators can run very fast, but only for a short spurt. If you keep away from the water's edge, you have no worries. There are no gators at the dog parks.

K-9...I was happy to read your comment. Romeo is 30 lbs...so glad to here the villa is safe. One of the reasons for the purchase of the Bonita villa was because of him...otherwise, he's on a leash.

ps...hope you were kidding about the predatory birds...:bowdown: