Leesburg man loses hand while fishing

[Sage327]

LEESBURG, Fla. - One man is in the hospital following a gator attack that happened Sunday afternoon. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) estimates the gator's length to be approximately 9 feet.

Reports say the man was fishing in a pond inside the Pennbrooke Fairways neighborhood in Leesburg when the gator attacked him, biting off his hand. Ron Priest, who spoke exclusively to FOX 35’s Kelsie Cairns, saw the whole thing play out in his backyard. Priest says the fisherman was reeling in a fish when the animal snapped open its jaws and chomped down on the man’s hand.

[dhdallas]

LEESBURG, Fla. - One man is in the hospital following a gator attack that happened Sunday afternoon. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) estimates the gator's length to be approximately 9 feet.

Reports say the man was fishing in a pond inside the Pennbrooke Fairways neighborhood in Leesburg when the gator attacked him, biting off his hand. Ron Priest, who spoke exclusively to FOX 35’s Kelsie Cairns, saw the whole thing play out in his backyard. Priest says the fisherman was reeling in a fish when the animal snapped open its jaws and chomped down on the man’s hand.

Alligators will often follow a hooked fish as it is reeled in. It's not like alligators magically appear out of nowhere. This guy wasn't paying attention or he would have seen it coming.

[Maker]

Location was just east of Morse Rd. Next to the villages.
Alligator was located and shot dead. Man's hand was retrieved and taken to hospital where it was determined it could not be surgically reattached.
He is lucky to be alive, but permanently injured.
The witness accounts (summary) was the alligator appeared right before it attacked the man. There was no way to prevent the attack, other than not being there.
I bet he wishes that alligator had been removed from residential area for the overall safety of all humans.

[PugMom]

i feel for this guy, really, but who in their right mind fishes on the edge of a pond in Fl>? i would expect exactly that. poor gator was in his home, doing what gators do:shrug:

[Shipping up to Boston]

i feel for this guy, really, but who in their right mind fishes on the edge of a pond in Fl>? i would expect exactly that. poor gator was in his home, doing what gators do:shrug:

No other state educates it’s population on the dangers of gators like this one. Not like the victim was pushing a shopping cart at Publix.....you’re in the lions den when you venture off the pavement down here. That said, I still feel for the victim as this truly is a life altering event.

[Laker14]

I'm just speculating here, but since it got his hand and not a foot, it makes me wonder if the fisherman had reached down to "lip" the fish out of the water, at water's edge at exactly the wrong moment.I can't fathom how else it would get his hand rather than a more convenient body part.

I often see fishermen fishing along the edge of the pond by the Poinciana mailboxes. I feel bad for the guy who lost his hand, but unless he lives in a cave he was aware of some risk fishing along the edge of a pond in Florida.

[vintageogauge]

Location was just east of Morse Rd. Next to the villages.
Alligator was located and shot dead. Man's hand was retrieved and taken to hospital where it was determined it could not be surgically reattached.
He is lucky to be alive, but permanently injured.
The witness accounts (summary) was the alligator appeared right before it attacked the man. There was no way to prevent the attack, other than not being there.
I bet he wishes that alligator had been removed from residential area for the overall safety of all humans.

I feel bad for the fisherman but safety starts at home, no one should be fishing in a pond known to have alligators, there have been warnings about this for years but some people think they know better. The way to prevent the attack is to not fish in the ponds and to stay away from them.

[Velvet]

My take; don’t fish around here! Alligators are wild powerful animals, not to be tempted. Go to the ocean and rent a boat, amazing fish to be caught there.

May this guy’s tragedy be a warning to all of us. (People trying to retrieve golf balls from water etc.)

[MrFlorida]

Expect a gator to be in any body of water.

[Hape2Bhr]

[QUOTE=I often see fishermen fishing along the edge of the pond by the Poinciana mailboxes. I feel bad for the guy who lost his hand, but unless he lives in a cave he was aware of some risk fishing along the edge of a pond in Florida.[/QUOTE]

I wonder about those fishing there too; although I've only seen an alligator there once (last spring and only about three feet).

[Maker]

Perhaps it's time to value human life more than an alligator ?
When will people get upset over a problem that can mitigated? Will it take a child to get killed?

[golfing eagles]

Expect a gator to be in any body of water.

Arctic Ocean???😂😂😂

[LuvtheVillages]

Perhaps it's time to value human life more than an alligator ?
When will people get upset over a problem that can mitigated? Will it take a child to get killed?

Actually, a toddler was killed by a gator a few years ago at Disney.

What do you mean by "mitigated"?

There are maybe a million alligators throughout Florida, up to Georgia and the Carolinas, around the Gulf coast, and in Texas. You remove one, another moves in. Are you proposing extinction? No way that would be allowed.

This is their territory. It is up to us humans to be responsible for ourselves. Don't expect someone else to take care of you.

[PugMom]

Actually, a toddler was killed by a gator a few years ago at Disney.

What do you mean by "mitigated"?

There are maybe a million alligators throughout Florida, up to Georgia and the Carolinas, around the Gulf coast, and in Texas. You remove one, another moves in. Are you proposing extinction? No way that would be allowed.

This is their territory. It is up to us humans to be responsible for ourselves. Don't expect someone else to take care of you.

Thank You :beer3:

[Shipping up to Boston]

Perhaps it's time to value human life more than an alligator ?
When will people get upset over a problem that can mitigated? Will it take a child to get killed?

You need to watch ‘Swamp People’ series. Killing gators is a rite of passage in places like FL and LA. The problem, there are millions. In the interim, just respect ‘their’ territories

[Rainger99]

There is a pond near our post office. I have seen gators and people fishing. The Villages should ban fishing!

[Bill14564]

There is a pond near our post office. I have seen gators and people fishing. The Villages should ban fishing!

They have banned fishing on golf courses and on certain ponds that are visible from "water view" homes.

The Villages should allow and encourage fishing.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Chubbs Peterson Society

[Maker]

Actually, a toddler was killed by a gator a few years ago at Disney.

What do you mean by "mitigated"?

There are maybe a million alligators throughout Florida, up to Georgia and the Carolinas, around the Gulf coast, and in Texas. You remove one, another moves in. Are you proposing extinction? No way that would be allowed.

This is their territory. It is up to us humans to be responsible for ourselves. Don't expect someone else to take care of you.

Nobody deserves to be attacked by an alligator, for any reason, no matter how infrequent that happens.
We have the ability to Mitigate = reduce the risk.

Allow trappers to capture alligators in ponds adjacent to homes without any regulatory hoops to jump through. No fee for a permit. Allowed during daylight, and any time at the request of PD.
Take one or take all. The more, the better.
It's safer for humans. Safer for children. Safer for visitors and pets.

If another one moves in, get rid of that one too. Eventually there will be a lot fewer near residents.
There are millions of them, and removing a few thousand living near people will not have any impact on them.

If only that one had been removed... a man would not be in the hospital. He and his family would not have to deal with the life changing amputation, the pain and suffering, and a huge financial problem that alligator caused.

[Shipping up to Boston]

They have banned fishing on golf courses and on certain ponds that are visible from "water view" homes.

The Villages should allow and encourage fishing.

Remember, and this is time tested for accuracy.....you cannot legislate what is common sense!

[Bill14564]

Nobody deserves to be attacked by an alligator, for any reason, no matter how infrequent that happens.
We have the ability to Mitigate = reduce the risk.

Allow trappers to capture alligators in ponds adjacent to homes without any regulatory hoops to jump through. No fee for a permit. Allowed during daylight, and any time at the request of PD.
Take one or take all. The more, the better.
It's safer for humans. Safer for children. Safer for visitors and pets.

If another one moves in, get rid of that one too. Eventually there will be a lot fewer near residents.
There are millions of them, and removing a few thousand living near people will not have any impact on them.

If only that one had been removed... a man would not be in the hospital. He and his family would not have to deal with the life changing amputation, the pain and suffering, and a huge financial problem that alligator caused.

Better to remove people who are worried about alligators. If you don't like snow, don't move to New Hampshire. Bothered by earthquakes? Stay out of California. Terrified by the movie Twister? No Kansas for you. Feel Florida is unsafe with all the alligators? There are a lot of states who will be glad to have you.

[ThirdOfFive]

Gators will be gators.

Sorry for what happened to this guy, but he should have known the risks. He's probably done it a hundred times w/o a problem. But this one time...gator, fish (assumedly) and hand all intersected. But you can't blame the critter for being what it is. We can coexist with them just fine if we think a little bit.

[Pondboy]

When will people get upset over a problem that can mitigated? Will it take a child to get killed?

Common sense gun laws would be a good start. Any idea how many children have been killed because of the lack of ?

[Dusty_Star]

Better to remove people who are worried about alligators. If you don't like snow, don't move to New Hampshire. Bothered by earthquakes? Stay out of California. Terrified by the movie Twister? No Kansas for you. Feel Florida is unsafe with all the alligators? There are a lot of states who will be glad to have you.

In the 1970s, Florida protected alligators, as an endangered species. I submit, they are no longer endangered in Florida, on the contrary, they have flourished & are in need of being trimmed back from populated areas, like The Villages. Maker is correct. They should be removed from The Villages ponds, they can stay in the swamps, but the retention ponds that folks fish in should be open to alligator hunters.

[Bill14564]

When will people get upset over a problem that can mitigated? Will it take a child to get killed?

Common sense gun laws would be a good start. Any idea how many children have been killed because of the lack of ?

Over 6,000 pedestrians are killed each year. Removing vehicles from roadways would prevent those 6,000 deaths of which some were children.

An average of 28 people are killed by lightning each year. Enforcing a 100% curfew during a lightning storm could prevent those 28 deaths of which some were children

If we are going to demand 100% safety we are going to be forced to make some difficult choices. On the other hand, if we are willing to make tradeoffs, work to improve safety, and demand some level of personal responsibility then we can have our cake and usually get to eat some of it too.

[vintageogauge]

Perhaps it's time to value human life more than an alligator ?
When will people get upset over a problem that can mitigated? Will it take a child to get killed?

And then there's the water moccasins, ponds are where both live and anyone who. allows a child to be near a body of water in Florida should be shipped north.

[vintageogauge]

In the 1970s, Florida protected alligators, as an endangered species. I submit, they are no longer endangered in Florida, on the contrary, they have flourished & are in need of being trimmed back from populated areas, like The Villages. Maker is correct. They should be removed from The Villages ponds, they can stay in the swamps, but the retention ponds that folks fish in should be open to alligator hunters.

Or just put up no fishing signs, problem solved.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Or just put up no fishing signs, problem solved.

Remember several years ago when the tragedy occurred at The Floridian Disney. Tragic loss of a child. That said, Disney posted conspicuously throughout that area before....and fenced off area since. They have already employed wildlife experts, daily, who guide and relocate gators to other parts of their property. It’s not a cure all. It’s not cheap either. In the case of TV, how many more fees and administrative costs to you want to add on top of? Again, common sense...and as it relates to parents/grandparents of small children....cannot be legislated!

[LuvtheVillages]

Nobody deserves to be attacked by an alligator, for any reason, no matter how infrequent that happens.
We have the ability to Mitigate = reduce the risk.

Allow trappers to capture alligators in ponds adjacent to homes without any regulatory hoops to jump through. No fee for a permit. Allowed during daylight, and any time at the request of PD.
Take one or take all. The more, the better.
It's safer for humans. Safer for children. Safer for visitors and pets.

If another one moves in, get rid of that one too. Eventually there will be a lot fewer near residents.
There are millions of them, and removing a few thousand living near people will not have any impact on them.

If only that one had been removed... a man would not be in the hospital. He and his family would not have to deal with the life changing amputation, the pain and suffering, and a huge financial problem that alligator caused.

If you remove a few thousand gators living near people, another few thousand will move into the area. Even if you put a fence around every pond, the gators can climb fences.

You can no more control the location of gators than you can control the location of geckos.

Also - gators play a big role in the balance of nature. They are a top predator, controlling the population of fish, turtles, ducks, and more.

Do you also want to get rid of the panthers, bears, and coyotes?

What a messed up state we would have.

[Pondboy]

Over 6,000 pedestrians are killed each year. Removing vehicles from roadways would prevent those 6,000 deaths of which some were children.

An average of 28 people are killed by lightning each year. Enforcing a 100% curfew during a lightning storm could prevent those 28 deaths of which some were children

If we are going to demand 100% safety we are going to be forced to make some difficult choices. On the other hand, if we are willing to make tradeoffs, work to improve safety, and demand some level of personal responsibility then we can have our cake and usually get to eat some of it too.

I’m talking common sense laws not a total ban. Besides, guns meant to kill, cars are meant to be driven. And yes, accidents do happen, the deaths are not on purpose.

[Bill14564]

I’m talking common sense laws not a total ban. Besides, guns meant to kill, cars are meant to be driven. And yes, accidents do happen, the deaths are not on purpose.

This sounds like the start of a long discussion that deserves its own thread.

[Pairadocs]

i feel for this guy, really, but who in their right mind fishes on the edge of a pond in Fl>? i would expect exactly that. poor gator was in his home, doing what gators do:shrug:

Who ? In my opinion (as a Florida native who retired in Florida), I think MANY people in their right mind have no idea, or a very vague idea they may have picked up from movies (?) about exactly what danger an alligator poses to people and animals. If folks come from a midwest state, or plains, northern, etc. where there are no alligators, they have no idea, just as I would have no idea of the dangers posed by a moose, or buffalo (since the only ones I've ever been around were the ones raised by the Villages at one time...and, apparently deemed more dangerous than the alligators since many people sat their grandchildren ON the rails of the herd's pastures... or, perhaps the interest in and price of buffalo meat dropped. But either way, they disappeared. I believe the Florida wildlife department will still remove alligators if reported in place like the Villages, but perhaps no longer since I certainly see my share of them when playing golf. I don't like to be a "chicken little the sky is falling", but, I would hope people would let new comers know it is truly not a good idea to go looking for a ball you think landed very close to the edge of a large pond; DEFINITELY not along the right edge of #8 on Heron !

[Pairadocs]

There is a pond near our post office. I have seen gators and people fishing. The Villages should ban fishing!

Perhaps, but that would also open up quite a Pandora's Box. Among the things considered by The Villages administration might be, and not saying the things on this list are valid, but

1. Reluctant to advertise any hobby or leisure activity not encouraged, after all, many do not golf ?

2. Don't want to showcase any "dangers", even though they might exist ?

3. Time and expense incurred in trying to stop retired fishing enthusiasts from fishing near their own homes ?

4. IF it is banned, should not walking dogs on trails that include walking near water also be banned since that is a MAJOR attraction for gators ?

Just some random thoughts as to why The Villages might not do that.

[Dusty_Star]

Or just put up no fishing signs, problem solved.

& put up signs saying 'no walking near the pond' too!

On second thought, just don't go outside at all!!! Problem solved!

[Taltarzac725]

I saw that story on the CBS National news a few evenings ago.

[AMB444]

On second thought, just don't go outside at all!!! Problem solved!

He's been trying to contact you about your cars' warranty. :1rotfl:

[golfing eagles]

Who ? In my opinion (as a Florida native who retired in Florida), I think MANY people in their right mind have no idea, or a very vague idea they may have picked up from movies (?) about exactly what danger an alligator poses to people and animals. If folks come from a midwest state, or plains, northern, etc. where there are no alligators, they have no idea, just as I would have no idea of the dangers posed by a moose, or buffalo (since the only ones I've ever been around were the ones raised by the Villages at one time...and, apparently deemed more dangerous than the alligators since many people sat their grandchildren ON the rails of the herd's pastures... or, perhaps the interest in and price of buffalo meat dropped. But either way, they disappeared. I believe the Florida wildlife department will still remove alligators if reported in place like the Villages, but perhaps no longer since I certainly see my share of them when playing golf. I don't like to be a "chicken little the sky is falling", but, I would hope people would let new comers know it is truly not a good idea to go looking for a ball you think landed very close to the edge of a large pond; DEFINITELY not along the right edge of #8 on Heron !

Then, as a Florida native, you know it was highly unlikely this gator would have attacked this man if he didn't have a fish in his hand. Heck, I can make the case he didn't attack the man at all, he was grabbing the fish for a snack and the man's arm got in the way. Only the very largest gators will possibly attack a full grown man unless he is provoked, feeding him, or during mating/nesting season.

[Maker]

Better to remove people who are worried about alligators. If you don't like snow, don't move to New Hampshire. Bothered by earthquakes? Stay out of California. Terrified by the movie Twister? No Kansas for you. Feel Florida is unsafe with all the alligators? There are a lot of states who will be glad to have you.

When you ban tourists, visiting family, and then suggest they go somewhere else, then come talk to me about moving away.

Otherwise, moving is not a solution.

[Maker]

Over 6,000 pedestrians are killed each year. Removing vehicles from roadways would prevent those 6,000 deaths of which some were children.

An average of 28 people are killed by lightning each year. Enforcing a 100% curfew during a lightning storm could prevent those 28 deaths of which some were children

If we are going to demand 100% safety we are going to be forced to make some difficult choices. On the other hand, if we are willing to make tradeoffs, work to improve safety, and demand some level of personal responsibility then we can have our cake and usually get to eat some of it too.

Go solve those other problems. But that is off topic here. Don't hijack another thread.

[Bill14564]

When you ban tourists, visiting family, and then suggest they go somewhere else, then come talk to me about moving away.

Otherwise, moving is not a solution.

If you move then your visiting family will be visiting elsewhere and you can feel they are safe.


As for tourists, those that visit me like to see the alligators. I can’t speak for any others and suggest they may not appreciate you speaking for them either.

[Bill14564]

Go solve those other problems. But that is off topic here. Don't hijack another thread.

There is nothing to be solved.

[Taltarzac725]

If you move then your visiting family will be visiting elsewhere and you can feel they are safe.


As for tourists, those that visit me like to see the alligators. I can’t speak for any others and suggest they may not appreciate you speaking for them either.

I recall some Japanese tourists at John Chestnut Park in Palm Harbor taking pictures of one another while standing a foot if that from a rather good sized gator. John Chestnut Park borders Lake Tarpon which has a very large number of alligators.

[LeRoySmith]

I'm far more afraid of 150,000 elderly and possibly drunk folks on golf carts than I am of alligators. I can steer clear of the alligators but dodging the old codgers is tough.

[vintageogauge]

I'm far more afraid of 150,000 elderly and possibly drunk folks on golf carts than I am of alligators. I can steer clear of the alligators but dodging the old codgers is tough.

Good Point LeRoy.

[Topspinmo]

There is a pond near our post office. I have seen gators and people fishing. The Villages should ban fishing!

I seen gators on golf courses. Villages should ban golfing.

[Topspinmo]

I'm far more afraid of 150,000 elderly and possibly drunk folks on golf carts than I am of alligators. I can steer clear of the alligators but dodging the old codgers is tough.

IMO easier to dodge old villager than lightning fast gator.

[Shipping up to Boston]

I seen gators on golf courses. Villages should ban golfing.

Oooh...that ones gonna hurt! ;)

[Topspinmo]

Oooh...that ones gonna hurt! ;)

Just as outrageous as the other. :)

[Laker14]

Then, as a Florida native, you know it was highly unlikely this gator would have attacked this man if he didn't have a fish in his hand. Heck, I can make the case he didn't attack the man at all, he was grabbing the fish for a snack and the man's arm got in the way. Only the very largest gators will possibly attack a full grown man unless he is provoked, feeding him, or during mating/nesting season.

without any real knowledge of what happened, I'm in agreement with you. I can't see how else the hand would be the target as opposed to a foot or a leg.

[Laker14]

I seen gators on golf courses. Villages should ban golfing.

They should definitely ban gators from golfing.

[BigDawgInLakeDenham]

They should definitely ban gators from golfing.

The gator was Muslim and was enforcing Sharia law. The man had stolen his fish.... so he cut his hand off.

[dhdallas]

Perhaps it's time to value human life more than an alligator ?
When will people get upset over a problem that can mitigated? Will it take a child to get killed?

Sure, let's just go out & kill every known animal that might injure a human even though alligator attacks are extremely rare & usually the fault of the human due to stupidity. Humans are the most dangerous animal on the planet and the earth would be in better shape if humans were eliminated.

[TeresaE]

Location was just east of Morse Rd. Next to the villages.
Alligator was located and shot dead. Man's hand was retrieved and taken to hospital where it was determined it could not be surgically reattached.
He is lucky to be alive, but permanently injured.
The witness accounts (summary) was the alligator appeared right before it attacked the man. There was no way to prevent the attack, other than not being there.
I bet he wishes that alligator had been removed from residential area for the overall safety of all humans.

It not possible to remove every gator from every pond. Another one will just take its place. And remember, it’s the one you DON’T see is the one you need to worry about.

But their behavior is very predictable. Just be aware and keep yourselves and especially your dogs away from the ponds for everyone’s safety.

[defrey12]

Perhaps it's time to value human life more than an alligator ?
When will people get upset over a problem that can mitigated? Will it take a child to get killed?

It’s happened…at Disney no less. Bottom line: You can fix stupid. It’s public knowledge in Florida. STAY AWAY FROM THE PONDS. We invaded the gators’ 🐊 home. Deal with it.

[Wilharm]

There is a pond near our post office. I have seen gators and people fishing. The Villages should ban fishing!
The Village's Freshwater Fishing Club encourages fishing in the ponds. Just held classes on how to fish the ponds.

[defrey12]

When will people get upset over a problem that can mitigated? Will it take a child to get killed?

Common sense gun laws would be a good start. Any idea how many children have been killed because of the lack of ?

WHAT? Off topic. But as long as you brought it up: Guns don’t kill people. People kill people.

[Sandy and Ed]

Since The Villages is a private community and all ponds , etc are owned by The Villages why is there any issue with eradicating the problem here?? IMHO safety of the humans and DOMESTIC animals living here should be top priority. Not the survival of a cold blooded amphibian creature that attacks when not provoked. Blaming the victim as not having enough sense to be constantly on guard for being attacked while enjoying what should be a relatively safe environment????

[Ele201]

I dislike victim blaming, as I see in some of the posts here. That’s because people are imperfect and make mistakes, and that’s part of the human condition. This man in Leesburg, we don’t know what he might struggle with and why he chose that activity. Here in The Villages, people are generally quite wary of ponds and other bodies of water, and what they likely contain.

Anyway, I feel for him, wish him well and hope that he will adapt well to his new situation.

[Sandy and Ed]

Sure, let's just go out & kill every known animal that might injure a human even though alligator attacks are extremely rare & usually the fault of the human due to stupidity. Humans are the most dangerous animal on the planet and the earth would be in better shape if humans were eliminated.
Let’s not go overboard here! No don’t kill every alligator in the world to the point of extinction. Let’s get some gray area in here. Not black and white. Let’s just prevent alligators from inhabiting an over 55 retirement community where most folks averaging in their mid 69’s would like to relax and enjoy the idyllic lifestyle advertised and for which they pay without worrying about being eaten by a cold blooded predatory creature or having their companion domesticated pets eaten. Now doesn’t that sound more tempered?

[defrey12]

Since The Villages is a private community and all ponds , etc are owned by The Villages why is there any issue with eradicating the problem here?? IMHO safety of the humans and DOMESTIC animals living here should be top priority. Not the survival of a cold blooded amphibian creature that attacks when not provoked. Blaming the victim as not having enough sense to be constantly on guard for being attacked while enjoying what should be a relatively safe environment????

You’re really not listening, are you? If you’re near a pond, with or without “Fluffy”, you’re essentially provoking them. They feed along the water’s edge.

[golfing eagles]

Since The Villages is a private community and all ponds , etc are owned by The Villages why is there any issue with eradicating the problem here?? IMHO safety of the humans and DOMESTIC animals living here should be top priority. Not the survival of a cold blooded amphibian creature that attacks when not provoked. Blaming the victim as not having enough sense to be constantly on guard for being attacked while enjoying what should be a relatively safe environment????

There are almost ZERO unprovoked gator attacks. Even when male gators are more aggressive during mating season, they have little interest in humans----UNLESS you present food, or some other idiots have been feeding them, in which case they learn to associate people with food. In general, they are far more afraid of people that vice versa. Would you retrieve that golf ball my friend hit? No problem, that gator was in the water in 1/2 second. Would you slap a 9 footer's tail like Cody Gribble did at Bay Hill---no way!!!

[Two Bills]

Since The Villages is a private community and all ponds , etc are owned by The Villages why is there any issue with eradicating the problem here?? IMHO safety of the humans and DOMESTIC animals living here should be top priority. Not the survival of a cold blooded amphibian creature that attacks when not provoked. Blaming the victim as not having enough sense to be constantly on guard for being attacked while enjoying what should be a relatively safe environment????

Build a wall around TV?
Netting overhead to guard against flying predators?
Shoot all predatory wild life within TV?
Incidents of gator or any wildlife attack is probably the lowest cause of death and injury of all incidents within TV.
You are more likely to be attacked by someone's pet than roaming wild animals.
TV is a safe an environment as any, and safer than most, but the minimal wildlife danger can be mitigated with basic common sense, not some knee-jerk reaction to something that happened elsewhere.

[crash]

i feel for this guy, really, but who in their right mind fishes on the edge of a pond in Fl>? i would expect exactly that. poor gator was in his home, doing what gators do:shrug:

Every fisherman in the freshwater fishing club fishes in Florida. All the people fishing the stock ponds in the Villages.

Suppose you are not in your right mind if you go into the ocean more shark attacks than gators biting fisherman.

[Sandy and Ed]

Bottom line: Establishments, organizations and, yes, governments (etc) that cater to the masses (which include children or other at-risk folks) should do all they can to insure the environment is safe. That includes safe from bombs, fire, disease, crime, alien attacks, wild predatory animals, zombies, etc. Why do we keep putting the responsibility on to each person instead? “They should know better,etc”. “They” pay, vote for and expect the people at the top to insure safety.

[Sandy and Ed]

You’re really not listening, are you? If you’re near a pond, with or without “Fluffy”, you’re essentially provoking them. They feed along the water’s edge.
But you wouldn’t be provoking them if they were not there would you?? YOU are not listening: more bluntly stated - eradicate, kill or otherwise remove every alligator within The Villages

[golfing eagles]

Bottom line: Establishments, organizations and, yes, governments (etc) that cater to the masses (which include children or other at-risk folks) should do all they can to insure the environment is safe. That includes safe from bombs, fire, disease, crime, alien attacks, wild predatory animals, zombies, etc. Why do we keep putting the responsibility on to each person instead? “They should know better,etc”. “They” pay, vote for and expect the people at the top to insure safety.

OK, I get it. Another proponent of the Orwellian nightmare. Yes, "the government" will keep us safe. There was no significant crime in Oceania. The only individual responsibility was unquestioning loyalty and obedience to the state. No thanks, I'll take my chances with the gators (and especially the zombies:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::)

[Sandy and Ed]

Build a wall around TV?
Netting overhead to guard against flying predators?
Shoot all predatory wild life within TV?
Incidents of gator or any wildlife attack is probably the lowest cause of death and injury of all incidents within TV.
You are more likely to be attacked by someone's pet than roaming wild animals.
TV is a safe an environment as any, and safer than most, but the minimal wildlife danger can be mitigated with basic common sense, not some knee-jerk reaction to something that happened elsewhere.
Again, another over the top black or white comment. No don’t kill all wild creatures on the planet or in The Villages. Leave the birds in the air. Let the snakes exist. Even those annual love bugs. Let’s just get rid of the alligators from our over 55 retirement community. OK. Mike drop!!!

[Sandy and Ed]

OK, I get it. Another proponent of the Orwellian nightmare. Yes, "the government" will keep us safe. There was no significant crime in Oceania. The only individual responsibility was unquestioning loyalty and obedience to the state. No thanks, I'll take my chances with the gators (and especially the zombies:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::)
I give up. Got better things to do. Here’s your sign.

[golfing eagles]

Again, another over the top black or white comment. No don’t kill all wild creatures on the planet or in The Villages. Leave the birds in the air. Let the snakes exist. Even those annual love bugs. Let’s just get rid of the alligators from our over 55 retirement community. OK. Mike drop!!!

Even the venomous snakes that can kill you???? Kind of discriminatory, don't you think????? (pick the mike up again)

[Two Bills]

Bottom line: Establishments, organizations and, yes, governments (etc) that cater to the masses (which include children or other at-risk folks) should do all they can to insure the environment is safe. That includes safe from bombs, fire, disease, crime, alien attacks, wild predatory animals, zombies, etc. Why do we keep putting the responsibility on to each person instead? “They should know better,etc”. “They” pay, vote for and expect the people at the top to insure safety.

It's called personal responsibility.
It is a dying personal application that was inherent in most people until everything became someone else's fault.
This nanny state you advocate is the reason overdeveloped countries are dying from within.
People are so soft and reliant on being herded, told what is good for them, that they have nearly lost all personal means of self survival!.
How some people actually reach old age, in many cases, absolutely amazes me!

[Shipping up to Boston]

Let’s not go overboard here! No don’t kill every alligator in the world to the point of extinction. Let’s get some gray area in here. Not black and white. Let’s just prevent alligators from inhabiting an over 55 retirement community where most folks averaging in their mid 69’s would like to relax and enjoy the idyllic lifestyle advertised and for which they pay without worrying about being eaten by a cold blooded predatory creature or having their companion domesticated pets eaten. Now doesn’t that sound more tempered?

Please explain where you have seen this model? To remove an animal from their habitat that multiplies to the millions? I suggest late posters do their due diligence and read ALL prior posts. You're on their land. You need to adapt...not them.

[Desiderata]

Let’s not go overboard here! No don’t kill every alligator in the world to the point of extinction. Let’s get some gray area in here. Not black and white. Let’s just prevent alligators from inhabiting an over 55 retirement community where most folks averaging in their mid 69’s would like to relax and enjoy the idyllic lifestyle advertised and for which they pay without worrying about being eaten by a cold blooded predatory creature or having their companion domesticated pets eaten. Now doesn’t that sound more tempered?
More tempered, yes, but still unrealistic and unnecessary. How many gator attacks have you ever heard of in The Villages?

[Gunny2403]

I routinely watch golfers walk past the RED stakes to a pond ( behind my house ), take out a ball retriever and churn the water trying to get a golf ball. I usually yell and tell them the pond has a gator in it. They say thanks and keep doing it. Humans are not very smart when it comes to this.

[Shipping up to Boston]

More tempered, yes, but still unrealistic and unnecessary. How many gator attacks have you ever heard of in The Villages?

I'm a hack so there is no body of water or wooded area that I'm gonna risk personal safety over retrieving my Titleist. Unless you're a tour player, take the penalty. Gators, unarmed, are undefeated!

[golfing eagles]

I routinely watch golfers walk past the RED stakes to a pond ( behind my house ), take out a ball retriever and churn the water trying to get a golf ball. I usually yell and tell them the pond has a gator in it. They say thanks and keep doing it. Humans are not very smart when it comes to this.

Again, except in unusual circumstances, the gator has no interest in the golfer or his ball. But it is a good idea to scan the nearby water for gators before getting too close. If they are in a position to "attack" (which they probably won't do), they are pretty obvious.

When was the last time a golfer retrieving a golf ball was attacked by a gator???? Anyone????

[golfing eagles]

I'm a hack so there is no body of water or wooded area that I'm gonna risk personal safety over retrieving my Titleist. Unless you're a tour player, take the penalty. Gators, unarmed, are undefeated!

If you're a "hack", save the money and play Top Flites or Pinnacles :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[LeRoySmith]

Mike drop!!!

This is why we cant have nice things! That audio equipment is expensive.

[Shipping up to Boston]

If you're a "hack", save the money and play Top Flites or Pinnacles :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Boston area company. I buy local! ;)

[LPeaslee]

I'm just speculating here, but since it got his hand and not a foot, it makes me wonder if the fisherman had reached down to "lip" the fish out of the water, at water's edge at exactly the wrong moment.I can't fathom how else it would get his hand rather than a more convenient body part.

I often see fishermen fishing along the edge of the pond by the Poinciana mailboxes. I feel bad for the guy who lost his hand, but unless he lives in a cave he was aware of some risk fishing along the edge of a pond in Florida.
In an article I read ,the witness said he was removing the fish from the hook,whivh would make sense

[Jbellio]

I lived in a community in Bonita and they removed any gators over 6 feet in length. I have seen some over 10 feet in ponds in TV while golfing.
I am in favor or removal... we have a nice community and I often have grand children down to visit. we can tell them about the dangers all day long but they are kids.

[golfing eagles]

I lived in a community in Bonita and they removed any gators over 6 feet in length. I have seen some over 10 feet in ponds in TV while golfing.
I am in favor or removal... we have a nice community and I often have grand children down to visit. we can tell them about the dangers all day long but they are kids.

And I have seen them removing large gators in TV as well.

[vintageogauge]

But you wouldn’t be provoking them if they were not there would you?? YOU are not listening: more bluntly stated - eradicate, kill or otherwise remove every alligator within The Villages

They are part of the environment, they live there. Simply keep away from the water, that's all. They don't deserve to be killed and that's exactly what happens when they are removed. They are a danger but they are not a threat when common sense is applied.

[Justputt]

At least we get a free drop from a gator, although I'm not sure how many club lengths that is and measuring the first several is a bit dicey......

[Girlcopper]

I feel bad for the fisherman but safety starts at home, no one should be fishing in a pond known to have alligators, there have been warnings about this for years but some people think they know better. The way to prevent the attack is to not fish in the ponds and to stay away from them.
True and very well said

[Maker]

More info about the victim. He was 52 and visiting from New Jersey.
Was warned to beware of the alligators. Did not understand that alligators attack unprovoked. Did not see the alligator until it was attacking him.

If that alligator was removed, this would not have happened. This WAS preventable.

[Justputt]

I'm a hack so there is no body of water or wooded area that I'm gonna risk personal safety over retrieving my Titleist. Unless you're a tour player, take the penalty. Gators, unarmed, are undefeated!

You are a "hack" and waste Titleist balls???? Head to the bargain bin and save some money. The first time I went to Myrtle Beach was long long ago with a group that lost their 12th player at the last minute, so I was asked by my brother to go, out of sheer desperation. I'd been playing for <6 months, and a really good day was breaking 100! I took 12 18-ball packs of golf balls.... At the end of the week, I came home with around 2-3 sleeves..... Target courses with high grass past the first cut of rough, like Prestwick ate me up. Gators were common as were copperheads, free drop.... leave the ball behind even when you can see it.

[RRGuyNJ]

They have banned fishing on golf courses and on certain ponds that are visible from "water view" homes.

The Villages should allow and encourage fishing.

Judging by the comments, I guess everyone feels fishing should be banned state wide. The old saying is if there is water, there is most likely a gator.

[OhioBuckeye]

Well I think the DNR would remove the gator & locate it somewhere else our have the gator destroyed for safety!

[Shipping up to Boston]

More info about the victim. He was 52 and visiting from New Jersey.
Was warned to beware of the alligators. Did not understand that alligators attack unprovoked. Did not see the alligator until it was attacking him.

If that alligator was removed, this would not have happened. This WAS preventable.

Are you serious?! Do you know how many gators live in TV? So you now know THAT gator? The perp? Unreal

[Bill14564]

More info about the victim. He was 52 and visiting from New Jersey.
Was warned to beware of the alligators. Did not understand that alligators attack unprovoked. Did not see the alligator until it was attacking him.

If that alligator was removed, this would not have happened. This WAS preventable.

Absolutely it was preventable. If the visitor from New Jersey had heeded the warning, paid more attention to his surroundings, and not reached towards the water it would not have happened.

[Shipping up to Boston]

You are a "hack" and waste Titleist balls???? Head to the bargain bin and save some money. The first time I went to Myrtle Beach was long long ago with a group that lost their 12th player at the last minute, so I was asked by my brother to go, out of sheer desperation. I'd been playing for <6 months, and a really good day was breaking 100! I took 12 18-ball packs of golf balls.... At the end of the week, I came home with around 2-3 sleeves..... Target courses with high grass past the first cut of rough, like Prestwick ate me up. Gators were common as were copperheads, free drop.... leave the ball behind even when you can see it.

Wait ‘waste Titleist’? And then you advise ‘leave the ball behind even when you can see it?.....thank you for making my point. Btw, Titleist has bargain bins ;)

[Bill14564]

Judging by the comments, I guess everyone feels fishing should be banned state wide. The old saying is if there is water, there is most likely a gator.

We owned a boat up in MD for 20 years. Considered getting one down here but decided that while swimming with jellyfish could be painful, swimming with gators would be worse.

[Maker]

Absolutely it was preventable. If the visitor from New Jersey had heeded the warning, paid more attention to his surroundings, and not reached towards the water it would not have happened.

It's so easy to blame the victim. I blame the aggressor, who attacked without warning.
If it was another human that attacked, would people still be blaming the victim? Or would the attacker be sitting in jail?

[golfing eagles]

More info about the victim. He was 52 and visiting from New Jersey.
Was warned to beware of the alligators. Did not understand that alligators attack unprovoked. Did not see the alligator until it was attacking him.

If that alligator was removed, this would not have happened. This WAS preventable.

I don't understand that alligators attack unprovoked either. Why's that? Because THEY DON'T. Please cite an example of an adult being the victim of an "unprovoked" attack---no food involved, no approaching their young or teasing them. Native Floridians will tell you that a gator will never attack a person whose height is more than 1/2 it's length, so , if true, only worry about an "unprovoked" attack by 12+ footers. But the reality is that unless you are a female alligator (or look like one) or a small animal, they have ZERO interest in you.

[Topspinmo]

If you're a "hack", save the money and play Top Flites or Pinnacles :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

I buy water balls, they know we’re water at. :a040:

[golfing eagles]

It's so easy to blame the victim. I blame the aggressor, who attacked without warning.
If it was another human that attacked, would people still be blaming the victim? Or would the attacker be sitting in jail?

I can't believe anyone would conflate those two scenarios.

[vintageogauge]

More info about the victim. He was 52 and visiting from New Jersey.
Was warned to beware of the alligators. Did not understand that alligators attack unprovoked. Did not see the alligator until it was attacking him.

If that alligator was removed, this would not have happened. This WAS preventable.

The alligator doesn't understand. The visitor was warned but failed to heed the warning. Yes, this WAS totally preventable had he listened to his host this would not have happened, don't blame the alligator, he just wanted that fish. STAY AWAY FROM THE PONDS, LOOK FROM AFAR.

[Shipping up to Boston]

The alligator doesn't understand. The visitor was warned but failed to heed the warning. Yes, this WAS totally preventable had he listened to his host this would not have happened, don't blame the alligator, he just wanted that fish. STAY AWAY FROM THE PONDS, LOOK FROM AFAR.

I had enough reps at this one! Smh

[golfing eagles]

About 5 years ago I tripped over the tail of a 7 footer on #5 of Caroline looking for my drive that ran through the fairway and into the rough short of the pond---my fault for not paying attention. That gator was very quick---set a new record for the 50 yard alligator dash---running away to the water. They simply aren't that interested in humans except in the circumstances I already outlined.

[Shipping up to Boston]

About 5 years ago I tripped over the tail of a 7 footer on #5 of Caroline looking for my drive that ran through the fairway and into the rough short of the pond---my fault for not paying attention. That gator was very quick---set a new record for the 50 yard alligator dash---running away to the water. They simply aren't that interested in humans except in the circumstances I already outlined.

Like a filet o fish sandwich?

[golfing eagles]

Like a filet o fish sandwich?

They are not rocket scientists. The see a fish and think "mmmm, fish". They do not think "Oh, that fish is held by the arm of a human and I don't want to hurt a person, I just want lunch, so I won't try to grab that fish"

[Two Bills]

Some years ago, my wife and I overwintered at Cocoa Beach, and played the Lake and Dolphin Golf Club on a regular basis.
The gators that live on that course are BIG.
Nearby, Cape Canaveral had some of the biggest gators we have ever seen.
Most golfers and tourists survive the experience!

[Shipping up to Boston]

They are not rocket scientists. The see a fish and think "mmmm, fish". They do not think "Oh, that fish is held by the arm of a human and I don't want to hurt a person, I just want lunch, so I won't try to grab that fish"

This thread is pretty dug in on either side. Not trying to push my narrative but it is amazing that people move to or travel to FL and don’t know the dangers that may....or may not await them from a wildlife perspective. These same people demonizing the animal had no issue with their respective developer bulldozing their habitat to make way for your dream home! Strange

[golfing eagles]

Some years ago, my wife and I overwintered at Cocoa Beach, and played the Lake and Dolphin Golf Club on a regular basis.
The gators that live on that course are BIG.
Nearby, Cape Canaveral had some of the biggest gators we have ever seen.
Most golfers and tourists survive the experience!

Most???? I'm willing to bet 99.99999%

[Bill14564]

Most???? I'm willing to bet 99.99999%

Did you calculate that or was it just a really good guess?

131M tourists in 2019 with an average of eight unprovoked alligator attacks per year over the last ten years gives 99.99999% of the tourists are not attacked. The percentage is even higher if any of those eight attacks had been against non-tourists.

[golfing eagles]

Did you calculate that or was it just a really good guess?

131M tourists in 2019 with an average of eight unprovoked alligator attacks per year over the last ten years gives 99.99999% of the tourists are not attacked. The percentage is even higher if any of those eight attacks had been against non-tourists.

Did the math in my head

[PugMom]

Nobody deserves to be attacked by an alligator, for any reason, no matter how infrequent that happens.
We have the ability to Mitigate = reduce the risk.

Allow trappers to capture alligators in ponds adjacent to homes without any regulatory hoops to jump through. No fee for a permit. Allowed during daylight, and any time at the request of PD.
Take one or take all. The more, the better.
It's safer for humans. Safer for children. Safer for visitors and pets.

If another one moves in, get rid of that one too. Eventually there will be a lot fewer near residents.
There are millions of them, and removing a few thousand living near people will not have any impact on them.

If only that one had been removed... a man would not be in the hospital. He and his family would not have to deal with the life changing amputation, the pain and suffering, and a huge financial problem that alligator caused.

respectfully,...even if you did that, there would still be some you missed. it's an impossible task, & easier to just assume they are there & act accordingly. it's not up to us to go randomly killing everything to suit our needs, -what would be left?

[PugMom]

Arctic Ocean???😂😂😂

oh YOU!!! :loco:

[Ele201]

More info about the victim. He was 52 and visiting from New Jersey.
Was warned to beware of the alligators. Did not understand that alligators attack unprovoked. Did not see the alligator until it was attacking him.

If that alligator was removed, this would not have happened. This WAS preventable.
This is why I don’t blame the victims when something terrible happens. People make mistakes, are not informed of a danger, or like in this case, he was unfamiliar with Florida wildlife and didn’t understand how gators work. So, my prayers are with him and hoping he will adapt well to his new situation.

I’ll take it one step further. I also can’t blame people who get swept up in riptides or get bit by a shark or drown while in the ocean because they went out too far. Should they have known better? Doesn’t matter and we all make mistakes.

But yes, we do have to be careful and we live in a world where danger lurks. Now everyone have a good day. Take care of yourself and others.

[PugMom]

Who ? In my opinion (as a Florida native who retired in Florida), I think MANY people in their right mind have no idea, or a very vague idea they may have picked up from movies (?) about exactly what danger an alligator poses to people and animals. If folks come from a midwest state, or plains, northern, etc. where there are no alligators, they have no idea, just as I would have no idea of the dangers posed by a moose, or buffalo (since the only ones I've ever been around were the ones raised by the Villages at one time...and, apparently deemed more dangerous than the alligators since many people sat their grandchildren ON the rails of the herd's pastures... or, perhaps the interest in and price of buffalo meat dropped. But either way, they disappeared. I believe the Florida wildlife department will still remove alligators if reported in place like the Villages, but perhaps no longer since I certainly see my share of them when playing golf. I don't like to be a "chicken little the sky is falling", but, I would hope people would let new comers know it is truly not a good idea to go looking for a ball you think landed very close to the edge of a large pond; DEFINITELY not along the right edge of #8 on Heron !

YES! remember that person who was visiting & walked their dog near water? it was maybe a year or 2 ago, & i'm sure that guy had NO IDEA he wasn't supposed to do it. education is key for visitors-you hit it out of the ball park.

[bobdeb]

Please be kind. This was a young man just visiting his mom. We are familiar with the area and fishing in the ponds there is quite common.

Gators are becoming more active starting this time of the year. Please be cautious.

[PugMom]

But you wouldn’t be provoking them if they were not there would you?? YOU are not listening: more bluntly stated - eradicate, kill or otherwise remove every alligator within The Villages

some of us just don't feel good about killing things. where would you move them to? killing them just because they are there seems brutal & cruel. it can't be done.

[fdpaq0580]

IF! If only he had been there an hour later, or earlier, or the next day, or week. If only he was an outdoors man and knew about gators. If only he knew a little bit more about Florida wildlife. If only ----- ! Every potential accident in life can't be planned for. It is very sad a man lost his hand. His life will be forever affected. Also sad that an alligator lost its life as a result of fisherman's lack of knowledge or situational awareness. After the fact deciding to kill all the gators is a knee-jerk reaction that serves no one, and long term could harm/destroy habitat and the folks who live in the area. The message is, stay out of gator country or bad things can happen! And the gator will not be to blame. They have been programmed to do what they do for millions of years when, presumably, God was the only one around to supervise their behavior or alter it as He saw fit. Jmho.

[fdpaq0580]

But you wouldn’t be provoking them if they were not there would you?? YOU are not listening: more bluntly stated - eradicate, kill or otherwise remove every alligator within The Villages

You are not listening! You would not be provoking them if you were not there, would you?? No need to kill anyone or anything (except mosquitoes).

[Justputt]

Wait ‘waste Titleist’? And then you advise ‘leave the ball behind even when you can see it?.....thank you for making my point. Btw, Titleist has bargain bins ;)
.
Gator and copperhead areas, yeah, unless you have a LONG ball retriever, no ball is worth a bite by either!

[d1nod1no]

Perhaps it's time to value human life more than an alligator ?
When will people get upset over a problem that can mitigated? Will it take a child to get killed?

American alligators were once threatened by extinction, but after being placed on the endangered species list in 1967, their population increased. This species is now classified as least concern. The main threat to these reptiles today is habitat loss caused by wetland drainage and development.

[Inexes@aol.com]

Are you serious?! Do you know how many gators live in TV? So you now know THAT gator? The perp? Unreal

Did you read the post? You are aware that this did not happen in The Villages, right???
Everyone is responding as though this happened here...... it did not. It happened in a community in Leesburg.......

[Shipping up to Boston]

Did you read the post? You are aware that this did not happen in The Villages, right???
Everyone is responding as though this happened here...... it did not. It happened in a community in Leesburg.......

As these threads evolve, the supposition was about TV by most of the posters. “If they had removed the gator”! Didn’t know and you can include Leesburg, that residents know specific gators, amongst thousands, intimately.

[fdpaq0580]

As these threads evolve, the supposition was about TV by most of the posters. “If they had removed the gator”! Didn’t know and you can include Leesburg, that residents know specific gators, amongst thousands, intimately.

I know a few gators. But I would never claim to know even one "intimately". Wink wink, nudge nudge! 😉😉

[fdpaq0580]

As these threads evolve, the supposition was about TV by most of the posters. “If they had removed the gator”! Didn’t know and you can include Leesburg, that residents know specific gators, amongst thousands, intimately.

Part of TV is in Leesburg, so it is just down the road. Almost like next door.

[Shipping up to Boston]

Part of TV is in Leesburg, so it is just down the road. Almost like next door.

I know that but we have a few, not many, that like to parachute into existing threads with out reading them in entirety....before commenting

[fdpaq0580]

I know that but we have a few, not many, that like to parachute into existing threads with out reading them in entirety....before commenting

True! I've done that, only to find I duplicated someone else's comment almost to a tea. I was, appropriately, embarrassed.

[Shipping up to Boston]

True! I've done that, only to find I duplicated someone else's comment almost to a tea. I was, appropriately, embarrassed.

Rare, but I have to

[jimjamuser]

Location was just east of Morse Rd. Next to the villages.
Alligator was located and shot dead. Man's hand was retrieved and taken to hospital where it was determined it could not be surgically reattached.
He is lucky to be alive, but permanently injured.
The witness accounts (summary) was the alligator appeared right before it attacked the man. There was no way to prevent the attack, other than not being there.
I bet he wishes that alligator had been removed from residential area for the overall safety of all humans.
In my opinion any alligator over 4 feet long should be trapped or shot and sold to a restaurant. The problem is that some dumb newbees to Florida think that BIG gators are cute. And some even feed them. That kind of attitudes end up with some adult without a hand or some small dog or small human ending up in a gator's stomach.

[jimjamuser]

i feel for this guy, really, but who in their right mind fishes on the edge of a pond in Fl>? i would expect exactly that. poor gator was in his home, doing what gators do:shrug:
The poor gator needs to be in a national forest or some wilderness area AWAY from dense people population. Both humans and gators have a right to exist - just not in overlapping territories.

[jimjamuser]

I feel bad for the fisherman but safety starts at home, no one should be fishing in a pond known to have alligators, there have been warnings about this for years but some people think they know better. The way to prevent the attack is to not fish in the ponds and to stay away from them.
That would mean that nobody could fish anywhere in Florida. Funny, I seem to see a lot of rods and reals for sale in Walmart and other stores.

[jimjamuser]

Arctic Ocean???😂😂😂
Yes, the famous large ICE GATORS.

[jimjamuser]

Thank You :beer3:
The problem could be easily solved by trapping any Gator 4 foot or greater in length and eating them at local restaurants.

[jimjamuser]

There is a pond near our post office. I have seen gators and people fishing. The Villages should ban fishing!
After you ban fishing, you would have to ban all boats in the lakes and model boats and row boats. I think it would be easier to eliminate Gators over 4 feet.

[jimjamuser]

And then there's the water moccasins, ponds are where both live and anyone who. allows a child to be near a body of water in Florida should be shipped north.
Water moccasins are not as aggressive or as large as gators.

[jimjamuser]

If you remove a few thousand gators living near people, another few thousand will move into the area. Even if you put a fence around every pond, the gators can climb fences.

You can no more control the location of gators than you can control the location of geckos.

Also - gators play a big role in the balance of nature. They are a top predator, controlling the population of fish, turtles, ducks, and more.

Do you also want to get rid of the panthers, bears, and coyotes?

What a messed up state we would have.
You can't control ALL the gators, but you could control those 4 feet or over. The under 4 foot long ones could maintain the balance of nature.

[jimjamuser]

It not possible to remove every gator from every pond. Another one will just take its place. And remember, it’s the one you DON’T see is the one you need to worry about.

But their behavior is very predictable. Just be aware and keep yourselves and especially your dogs away from the ponds for everyone’s safety.
Alligators are among the most unpredictable animals there are! Try walking around a swamp AT NIGHT.

[golfing eagles]

The problem could be easily solved by trapping any Gator 4 foot or greater in length and eating them at local restaurants.

Let me guess: A huge government bureaucracy could be set up to identify, trap and remove those gators, all in the name of keeping people safe (from their own stupidity).

[jimjamuser]

The Village's Freshwater Fishing Club encourages fishing in the ponds. Just held classes on how to fish the ponds.
How to fish the ponds safely. Simple. stay 50 feet back from the water's edge and launch a drone with your fishing line and a bait and a bobbin rig. Have the drone drop the bait and hook and then use binoculars to watch the bobbin and wait for a fish.......good luck !!!!!!!!

[LeRoySmith]

Let me guess: A huge government bureaucracy could be set up to identify, trap and remove those gators, all in the name of keeping people safe (from their own stupidity).

Like government cheese, government gator bites!

[jimjamuser]

OK, I get it. Another proponent of the Orwellian nightmare. Yes, "the government" will keep us safe. There was no significant crime in Oceania. The only individual responsibility was unquestioning loyalty and obedience to the state. No thanks, I'll take my chances with the gators (and especially the zombies:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl::)
I wonder would a zombie kill a gator or vice versa. Maybe we should stock the lakes with zombies?

[jimjamuser]

I lived in a community in Bonita and they removed any gators over 6 feet in length. I have seen some over 10 feet in ponds in TV while golfing.
I am in favor or removal... we have a nice community and I often have grand children down to visit. we can tell them about the dangers all day long but they are kids.
Exactly. And let's make that 4 feet rather than 6 feet.

[jimjamuser]

About 5 years ago I tripped over the tail of a 7 footer on #5 of Caroline looking for my drive that ran through the fairway and into the rough short of the pond---my fault for not paying attention. That gator was very quick---set a new record for the 50 yard alligator dash---running away to the water. They simply aren't that interested in humans except in the circumstances I already outlined.
All animals. Especially predators are extremely unpredictable. 4 out of 5 might run, but the 5th one attacks from an unseen location. Even large animals in low or high grass can be practically invisible.

[jimjamuser]

American alligators were once threatened by extinction, but after being placed on the endangered species list in 1967, their population increased. This species is now classified as least concern. The main threat to these reptiles today is habitat loss caused by wetland drainage and development.
Which brings them closer to man.

[jimjamuser]

Let me guess: A huge government bureaucracy could be set up to identify, trap and remove those gators, all in the name of keeping people safe (from their own stupidity).
Trappers get paid by the restaurants. Government NOT necessarily involved. It's the All-American profit motive!

[huntervonmanley]

More info about the victim. He was 52 and visiting from New Jersey.
Was warned to beware of the alligators. Did not understand that alligators attack unprovoked. Did not see the alligator until it was attacking him.

If that alligator was removed, this would not have happened. This WAS preventable.


Or, if he stayed in New Jersey this would also not have happened.

[fdpaq0580]

The poor gator needs to be in a national forest or some wilderness area AWAY from dense people population. Both humans and gators have a right to exist - just not in overlapping territories.

The poor gator is slave to many millions of years of instinctual behavior. They move according to instincts. Mate according to instincts. They get food, protect their young, in general live their lives according to millions of years of instinct. They only exist in their current situation. Humans choose where they live. Gators don't know any better. If you remove all the gators. It won't be long until new gators move in. Less expensive and safer is to teach gator awareness. We are the ones invading their territory. As you said we both have a right to exist. They can't learn new behaviors. We can!

[fdpaq0580]

Which brings them closer to man.

You've got it backwards. Gators aren't being brought closer to humans. Developers are bringing humans closer to to gators. The onus is on humans to learn the pros and cons of where they move to.

[JMintzer]

In my opinion any alligator over 4 feet long should be trapped or shot and sold to a restaurant. The problem is that some dumb newbees to Florida think that BIG gators are cute. And some even feed them. That kind of attitudes end up with some adult without a hand or some small dog or small human ending up in a gator's stomach.

The problem could be easily solved by trapping any Gator 4 foot or greater in length and eating them at local restaurants.

After you ban fishing, you would have to ban all boats in the lakes and model boats and row boats. I think it would be easier to eliminate Gators over 4 feet.

You can't control ALL the gators, but you could control those 4 feet or over. The under 4 foot long ones could maintain the balance of nature.

Just to avoid any confusion... You're suggesting 4' as the limit?

[JMintzer]

All animals. Especially predators are extremely unpredictable. 4 out of 5 might run, but the 5th one attacks from an unseen location. Even large animals in low or high grass can be practically invisible.

Terrifying creatures...

https://i.makeagif.com/media/3-17-2017/67uk9Y.gif

[Bill14564]

Just to avoid any confusion... You're suggesting 4' as the limit?

Terrifying creatures...

https://i.makeagif.com/media/3-17-2017/67uk9Y.gif

I'm still not signing up to hold the tape measure.

[golfing eagles]

Terrifying creatures...

https://i.makeagif.com/media/3-17-2017/67uk9Y.gif

Yep, Cody Gribble was terrified.

Meanwhile, for JJ, it's not 1/5 of the time the gator acts in an unpredictable manor, it's 1/50,000. They are pretty predictable---if you have food, they might try to grab it from you, including any of your parts that get in the way. If you approach their young, they will defend them. If you get between a male and female during mating season, watch out (no different for humans :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:). Otherwise , they will run away from you as fast as they can.

[fdpaq0580]

All animals. Especially predators are extremely unpredictable. 4 out of 5 might run, but the 5th one attacks from an unseen location. Even large animals in low or high grass can be practically invisible.

I am a moderate sized animal. It doesn't seem to matter how tall the grass is, the police always find me. 😏😏😏

[Two Bills]

Which brings them closer to man.

///

[Shipping up to Boston]

Yep, Cody Gribble was terrified.

Meanwhile, for JJ, it's not 1/5 of the time the gator acts in an unpredictable manor, it's 1/50,000. They are pretty predictable---if you have food, they might try to grab it from you, including any of your parts that get in the way. If you approach their young, they will defend them. If you get between a male and female during mating season, watch out (no different for humans :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:). Otherwise , they will run away from you as fast as they can.

On that note.....the gators mating season in TV commences in April and hatching sometime in August. Save the dates

[Dusty_Star]

Since The Villages is a private community and all ponds , etc are owned by The Villages why is there any issue with eradicating the problem here?? IMHO safety of the humans and DOMESTIC animals living here should be top priority. Not the survival of a cold blooded amphibian creature that attacks when not provoked. Blaming the victim as not having enough sense to be constantly on guard for being attacked while enjoying what should be a relatively safe environment????

💯 !!!

:boom:

[fdpaq0580]

Terrifying creatures...

https://i.makeagif.com/media/3-17-2017/67uk9Y.gif

What do you figure? 6 feet, more or less?

[Shipping up to Boston]

💯 !!!

:boom:

Just for clarification.....TV at last count has 450 lakes and ponds? Correct me. You want the property, 35 square miles eradicated because of a single issue? Btw..should the developer assume the costs associated with said removal or don’t you think (playing along with this pie in the sky scenario) that they would throw another line item into your ‘fees’ to accomplish that fete....plus the costs for deploying TV border patrols to prevent reentry?!

[Shipping up to Boston]

Just for clarification.....TV at last count has 450 lakes and ponds? Correct me. You want the property, 35 square miles eradicated because of a single issue? Btw..should the developer assume the costs associated with said removal or don’t you think (playing along with this pie in the sky scenario) that they would throw another line item into your ‘fees’ to accomplish that fete....plus the costs for deploying TV border patrols to prevent reentry?!

Typo on 450......stand to be corrected on totals...lakes and ponds

[Dusty_Star]

Just for clarification.....TV at last count has 450 lakes and ponds? Correct me. You want the property, 35 square miles eradicated because of a single issue? Btw..should the developer assume the costs associated with said removal or don’t you think (playing along with this pie in the sky scenario) that they would throw another line item into your ‘fees’ to accomplish that fete....plus the costs for deploying TV border patrols to prevent reentry?!

The retention ponds should be cleared. Leave the swamps alone. The CDDs will have to hire or allow hunters to harvest the gators from the retention ponds.

The harvest will have to be repeated from time to time. It will be an ongoing expense.

That's it. I never suggested any nonsense about preventing reentry or eradicating the horrific reptiles, just reduce the population to ensure resident safety.

The reptile involved in the disastrous hand attack was a little over 9 feet. It was also NOT in The Villages. My opinion is that it should have been turned into shoes a long time ago.

This is not a single issue. Check the history. We have had this argument for a while. There are those who say: Leave them alone, they were here first, & those who say: This is a retirement community made up of older folks who are no longer as spry, fast, observant, etc. as they once were. Make it as safe as reasonable.

It will not be solved by a discussion forum. Just decide which side you are on.

[Shipping up to Boston]

The retention ponds should be cleared. Leave the swamps alone. The CDDs will have to hire or allow hunters to harvest the gators from the retention ponds.

The harvest will have to be repeated from time to time. It will be an ongoing expense.

That's it. I never suggested any nonsense about preventing reentry or eradicating the horrific reptiles, just reduce the population to ensure resident safety.

The reptile involved in the disastrous hand attack was a little over 9 feet. It was also NOT in The Villages. My opinion is that it should have been turned into shoes a long time ago.

This is not a single issue. Check the history. We have had this argument for a while. There are those who say: Leave them alone, they were here first, & those who say: This is a retirement community made up of older folks who are no longer as spry, fast, observant, etc. as they once were. Make it as safe as reasonable.

It will not be solved by a discussion forum. Just decide which side you are on.

I’m not a wildlife expert nor biologist. Not sure size matters in this particular thread! I would much rather convene a meeting of qualified minds to determine best course action as it is not as simple as you suggest. There are eco issues to consider as well. As far as choosing sides, I will always choose common sense over hysteria

[fdpaq0580]

For some perspective for those who want gators eradicated. On average there are between 7 to 10 gator attacks each year nation wide. There are 4.5 million dog attacks/bites, 100,000 plus needing medical care, and over 33 fatalities as a result of dog attacks in the US annually.
Maybe you are singling out the wrong savage beast for persecution and annihilation.

😕

[dhdallas]

Perhaps it's time to value human life more than an alligator ?
When will people get upset over a problem that can mitigated? Will it take a child to get killed?

Then by your reasoning we better kill every dog too. Across the United States, there are more than 89 million dogs and 4.5 million dog bites that occur each year, and at least half the dog bites are on children.

[Two Bills]

Far too many posters offering solutions to a problem that basically, does not, has not, and will not exist in TV, if the minority just learn to live with their surroundings, and learn to use a bit of the old gray matter!

[Maker]

respectfully,...even if you did that, there would still be some you missed. it's an impossible task, & easier to just assume they are there & act accordingly. it's not up to us to go randomly killing everything to suit our needs, -what would be left?

If it was open for trappers to take them, there would be less. Perhaps only a few, Repeat as needed and overall it's safer.

some of us just don't feel good about killing things. where would you move them to? killing them just because they are there seems brutal & cruel. it can't be done.

Eating things like chicken, beef, pork, bacon, turkey, duck, ...

American alligators were once threatened by extinction, but after being placed on the endangered species list in 1967, their population increased. This species is now classified as least concern. The main threat to these reptiles today is habitat loss caused by wetland drainage and development.

The poor gator needs to be in a national forest or some wilderness area AWAY from dense people population. Both humans and gators have a right to exist - just not in overlapping territories.

There are millions already there. There is no threat to the population by removing ones around residents homes.
In the entire area being under construction, there were no alligators there. No retention ponds either. Now that many have been built, alligators are there. Alligators were not first.

Then by your reasoning we better kill every dog too. Across the United States, there are more than 89 million dogs and 4.5 million dog bites that occur each year, and at least half the dog bites are on children.

The topic is alligators. There are plenty of other ways people are killed. Drunk drivers, criminal gangs, etc. Please go solve those other issues in a thread about them, not in a thread about alligators.

There is no cost to us for this to happen. The alligator itself has value on the open market. Trappers would love to be allowed to come here at no cost to us.

[Shipping up to Boston]

If it was open for trappers to take them, there would be less. Perhaps only a few, Repeat as needed and overall it's safer.



Eating things like chicken, beef, pork, bacon, turkey, duck, ...





There are millions already there. There is no threat to the population by removing ones around residents homes.
In the entire area being under construction, there were no alligators there. No retention ponds either. Now that many have been built, alligators are there. Alligators were not first.



The topic is alligators. There are plenty of other ways people are killed. Drunk drivers, criminal gangs, etc. Please go solve those other issues in a thread about them, not in a thread about alligators.

There is no cost to us for this to happen. The alligator itself has value on the open market. Trappers would love to be allowed to come here at no cost to us.

I’ve had my say several times on this thread so let’s pivot for a second. In the decades that TV has been in existence, how many actual attacks have occurred in that period?

[Taltarzac725]

I’ve had my say several times on this thread so let’s pivot for a second. In the decades that TV has been in existence, how many actual attacks have occurred in that period?

A couple that I recall and usually involving a dog getting grabbed. And only one that I am sure of. A retired lawyer jumped into the water with the gator and pulled the dog out of its mouth. National news. It was over by Sumter Landing on one of the lakes connected to it.

[Ele201]

The problem could be easily solved by trapping any Gator 4 foot or greater in length and eating them at local restaurants.
Just curious, have you eaten gator? I’ve seen it on menus a bit in The Villages but never had it, not sure how it tastes.

[Shipping up to Boston]

A couple that I recall and usually involving a dog getting grabbed. And only one that I am sure of. A retired lawyer jumped into the water with the gator and pulled the dog out of its mouth. National news. It was over by Sumter Landing on one of the lakes connected to it.

So in the spirit of fair play, we’ll include the fur babies. Sounds like an anomaly. Maybe more credit should be given to the developer. This clearly doesn’t rise to the level that some suggest. It’s TV not the Everglades . Don’t confuse the terrain

[Taltarzac725]

So in the spirit of fair play, we’ll include the fur babies. Sounds like an anomaly. Maybe more credit should be given to the developer. This clearly doesn’t rise to the level that some suggest. It’s TV not the Everglades . Don’t confuse the terrain

The brave man was on Talk of the Villages but as far as I know only was on here to clarify what had happened. The dog was a Westie if memory serves.

[vintageogauge]

The retention ponds should be cleared. Leave the swamps alone. The CDDs will have to hire or allow hunters to harvest the gators from the retention ponds.

The harvest will have to be repeated from time to time. It will be an ongoing expense.

That's it. I never suggested any nonsense about preventing reentry or eradicating the horrific reptiles, just reduce the population to ensure resident safety.

The reptile involved in the disastrous hand attack was a little over 9 feet. It was also NOT in The Villages. My opinion is that it should have been turned into shoes a long time ago.

This is not a single issue. Check the history. We have had this argument for a while. There are those who say: Leave them alone, they were here first, & those who say: This is a retirement community made up of older folks who are no longer as spry, fast, observant, etc. as they once were. Make it as safe as reasonable.

It will not be solved by a discussion forum. Just decide which side you are on.

No retention ponds, no irrigation, can't drain them and wouldn't want to do so.

[vintageogauge]

Far too many posters offering solutions to a problem that basically, does not, has not, and will not exist in TV, if the minority just learn to live with their surroundings, and learn to use a bit of the old gray matter!

Amen to that.

[fdpaq0580]

If it was open for trappers to take them, there would be less. Perhaps only a few, Repeat as needed and overall it's safer.



Eating things like chicken, beef, pork, bacon, turkey, duck, ...





There are millions already there. There is no threat to the population by removing ones around residents homes.
In the entire area being under construction, there were no alligators there. No retention ponds either. Now that many have been built, alligators are there. Alligators were not first.



The topic is alligators. There are plenty of other ways people are killed. Drunk drivers, criminal gangs, etc. Please go solve those other issues in a thread about them, not in a thread about alligators.

There is no cost to us for this to happen. The alligator itself has value on the open market. Trappers would love to be allowed to come here at no cost to us.

The topic IS alligators. To get a fair measure of just what demons they are and the damage they do, one must must make comparisons. Comparisons against one of the most loved animals, like dogs helps put things in perspective. Weighing the small number of attacks (which makes them news worthy) against the vastly greater number of dog attacks (so common that the are not generally news worthy) should make one realize gators in TV pose an insignificant threat to us while providing the function of helping to control vermin and varments.

[JMintzer]

What do you figure? 6 feet, more or less?

At least...

[JMintzer]

Just for clarification.....TV at last count has 450 lakes and ponds? Correct me. You want the property, 35 square miles eradicated because of a single issue? Btw..should the developer assume the costs associated with said removal or don’t you think (playing along with this pie in the sky scenario) that they would throw another line item into your ‘fees’ to accomplish that fete....plus the costs for deploying TV border patrols to prevent reentry?!

Not to mention, that "single incident" didn't happen on TV property...

[JMintzer]

There is no cost to us for this to happen. The alligator itself has value on the open market. Trappers would love to be allowed to come here at no cost to us.

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[cjrjck]

some of us just don't feel good about killing things. where would you move them to? killing them just because they are there seems brutal & cruel. it can't be done.

You move them to any of the many marshes in central Florida. That is their natural environment not a man-made retention pond or somebody's backyard pool. I would prefer they be trapped. It's done all the time in the south. Many people make a living down here doing just that. But, if you needed one dead, that too is not a difficult thing to do. I would suggest a small boat and compound bow. Bow hunters safely dispatch hundreds of alligators every year. And most of those are actual wild alligators not the ones that grew up in small "neighborhood" ponds and have lost their innate fear of humans. I fish many of the ponds in TV and have seen numerous alligators that will come right up to you hoping for a handout. I assume by their actions that some people do feed them. Such alligators are potentially far more dangerous than their wild counterparts.

[LeRoySmith]

I’ve had my say several times on this thread so let’s pivot for a second. In the decades that TV has been in existence, how many actual attacks have occurred in that period?

I bet there have been more people bites than gators bites

[fdpaq0580]

I bet there have been more people bites than gators bites

Probably correct. And people have such dirty mouths. One bite and you could die of septesemia aka cooties. Watch out humans. You are a far bigger threat to other life forms than they are to you. 😏😏😏

[Shipping up to Boston]

Probably correct. And people have such dirty mouths. One bite and you could die of septesemia aka cooties. Watch out humans. You are a far bigger threat to other life forms than they are to you. 😏😏😏

Where can we relocate them ;)

[fdpaq0580]

You move them to any of the many marshes in central Florida. That is their natural environment not a man-made retention pond or somebody's backyard pool. I would prefer they be trapped. It's done all the time in the south. Many people make a living down here doing just that. But, if you needed one dead, that too is not a difficult thing to do. I would suggest a small boat and compound bow. Bow hunters safely dispatch hundreds of alligators every year. And most of those are actual wild alligators not the ones that grew up in small "neighborhood" ponds and have lost their innate fear of humans. I fish many of the ponds in TV and have seen numerous alligators that will come right up to you hoping for a handout. I assume by their actions that some people do feed them. Such alligators are potentially far more dangerous than their wild counterparts.

Many people make a living doing all kinds of things, legal and illegal. Stupidity (like feeding wild animals) is a human trait. Not the animal's fault. Eradicate stupid people? More fair and more humane.

[fdpaq0580]

Where can we relocate them ;)

Relocate? Who said relocate? I have seen the word "eradicate" several times. Wonder if they would mind if the shoe was on the other foot? 🙄🤔🤔

[golfing eagles]

Relocate? Who said relocate? I have seen the word "eradicate" several times. Wonder if they would mind if the shoe was on the other foot? 🙄🤔🤔

The Florida commission says the chances of a Florida resident being seriously injured in an unprovoked alligator attack are in one in 3.1 million. For reference, you have a better chance of getting attacked by a grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park. Mazzoti said you're more than likely to drown in water than be attacked by an alligator.

[Caymus]

This alligator in New York was treated as a pet.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/authorities-seize-750-pound-alligator-named-albert-from-new-york-home/ar-BB1k3nwM

[fdpaq0580]

Just curious, have you eaten gator? I’ve seen it on menus a bit in The Villages but never had it, not sure how it tastes.

Yes. I've eaten it. My opinion, "pretty good". I've also eaten a number of things that many would shudder at or be horrified by. Have you ever had frog legs or escargot (snails)? Good food.

[fdpaq0580]

This alligator in New York was treated as a pet.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/authorities-seize-750-pound-alligator-named-albert-from-new-york-home/ar-BB1k3nwM

I prefer my teddy bear. 🥰🥰🥰

[Shipping up to Boston]

Yes. I've eaten it. My opinion, "pretty good". I've also eaten a number of things that many would shudder at or be horrified by. Have you ever had frog legs or escargot (snails)? Good food.

“Tastes like chicken”

[golfing eagles]

I bet there have been more people bites than gators bites

According to a study from the Center For Disease Control (CDC), approximately 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States each year, and 800,000 of those bites result in the need for medical care.

Incidence: In the United States, approximately 250,000 human bites are treated each year

[Bill14564]

Yes. I've eaten it. My opinion, "pretty good". I've also eaten a number of things that many would shudder at or be horrified by. Have you ever had frog legs or escargot (snails)? Good food.

Don't think I've had frogs legs yet. Alligator was good and escargot is great but I'm a big fan of garlic.

Rattlesnake is pretty good and ostrich is amazing. I sure wouldn't recommend muskrat though.

[golfing eagles]

Probably correct. And people have such dirty mouths. One bite and you could die of septesemia aka cooties. Watch out humans. You are a far bigger threat to other life forms than they are to you. 😏😏😏

Unless you are severely immunocompromised, you are extremely unlikely to die from septicemia from a human bite, but you can get a nasty cellulitis or abscess. I'll give a hint as to the pathogenicity of bacteria in the human mouth, one main species is Eikenella corrodens---the name says it all.

[golfing eagles]

Don't think I've had frogs legs yet. Alligator was good and escargot is great but I'm a big fan of garlic.

Rattlesnake is pretty good and ostrich is amazing. I sure wouldn't recommend muskrat though.

Frog legs taste like chicken!

[LeRoySmith]

Unless you are severely immunocompromised, you are extremely unlikely to die from septicemia from a human bite, but you can get a nasty cellulitis or abscess. I'll give a hint as to the pathogenicity of bacteria in the human mouth, one main species is Eikenella corrodens---the name says it all.

When I think of the things I've put in my mouth and put my mouth on I wouldn't wanna be bitten by me. :oops:

[fdpaq0580]

Frog legs taste like chicken!

Fishy 😛😜🤪🫣🤢🤮🤬

[fdpaq0580]

Unless you are severely immunocompromised, you are extremely unlikely to die from septicemia from a human bite, but you can get a nasty cellulitis or abscess. I'll give a hint as to the pathogenicity of bacteria in the human mouth, one main species is Eikenella corrodens---the name says it all.

I'll take your word for it! But what about "cooties"?
(Eikenella Corrodens sounds like a Russian gymnast)

[LeRoySmith]

Alligator caught on Norris Lake in Union County (https://www.wvlt.tv/2024/03/19/alligator-caught-norris-lake-union-county/)

[golfing eagles]

I'll take your word for it! But what about "cooties"?
(Eikenella Corrodens sounds like a Russian gymnast)

More like a Russian woman weightlifter! You know----380 lbs., probably with genotype XXY. Today, we would suspect transgender and let them compete anyway :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Shipping up to Boston]

More like a Russian woman weightlifter! You know----380 lbs., probably with genotype XXY. Today, we would suspect transgender and let them compete anyway :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Or the daughter of a Russian beet farmer!

[fdpaq0580]

More like a Russian woman weightlifter! You know----380 lbs., probably with genotype XXY. Today, we would suspect transgender and let them compete anyway :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

I knew her in high school. Kingcova Konggoski. I thank my lucky stars she never made me be her boyfriend. Poor old Leonard still wakes up screaming in a cold sweat. No one alive knows what she would do with, or to, her boyfriends. 😨😰😱

[Aces4]

Go solve those other problems. But that is off topic here. Don't hijack another thread.

I think you are addressing the wrong poster. Please refer to a previous post which began the subject. Pondboy... I believe.