Alligator at Sumter Landing?
 

Does anyone know why the "powers that be" have not arranged for a professional alligator trapper to remove the alligator from Lake Sumter? I love taking the grandchildren to feed the turtles and have frequently ended up with the alligator joining in with the turtles and fish. It's against the law to feed the alligator, but that means not feeding the turtles at all.

Removing gators from that body of water could be an endless job. Gators find water and it's a relatively large body of water for this area. There are many areas where they can enter that lake. The gators will come to where the food is. Gators do eat turtles. Maybe feeding the turtles could put them in danger of becoming the next course if gators decide they're still hungry.

Are you talking about the gator that lurks under the dock behind the ice cream store? Just walk away from the gator. If you walk along the boardwalk toward the Lighthouse the turtles will follow you, but the gator will stay put. At least that's been my experience.

Best thing to do is look, admire and let be the wild life! They will feed themselves without any help from us humans. Does the word "wild!" mean anything? Find something else to amuse the grandkids with and let the animals do their thing..!

Don't you realize when a professional alligator trapper captures a gator in one of our ponds or lakes, the gator is NOT relocated. They are killed.

Do not feed the turtles either. These are not supposed to be dependent on humans for food.

Personally, I wish a game warden was present at Lake Sumter Landing and was handing out the $500 citations to the people feeding the alligators - or make the children watch as the gator was killed while explaining it was due to their feeding.

This thread sounds a bit like a few years ago when we still have bison (buffalo) grazing in the pasture along 466. They were taken away due to grandparents w/children climbing over the fence for a photo-opt. NOT good folks...no matter how you look at things!

As another poster stated they're wild!!! They're in their natural habitat and can fend for themselves (the turtles). We've enjoyed just watching them swim around and don't have to feed them to do that!!! Mr. Gator just might take a lunge one of these days and that won't be a pretty sight no matter how one looks at it.

It is against FL State law to feed ANY wild animals!

The gator isn't a nuisance yet. That's why it is still there. They get to be a nuisance when foolish people feed them.

I swear to goodness we seniors can argue about anything...:angel:

Boy Howdy.

Good Morning everyone!:wave:

Or else, If you feel good about feeding them,go ahead. If you think its bad to feed them do not.Do not think it will harm anything. Now everyone should be happy.

TOTV, if nothing else..has saved me money. I canceled my Direct TV for I can get all of the drama I need, right here! Ha..

You got that right.

It's a Crime, plain and simple
 

Usually I am not a "hard liner", but the alligators are a native species, they were "here first" and they are protected by law from anyone interfering with them.

The ponds are not liquid petting zoos. Just had to get that out of my system because I love animals and respect their natural condition and right to remain undisturbed.

"Or else, If you feel good about feeding them, go ahead. If you think its bad to feed them do not.Do not think it will harm anything. Now everyone should be happy." I think not!! Instead, this is a wonderful opportunity to teach grandchildren about preserving natural habitats, and respect for the law. The laws are not subjective. That way, the grandchildren will not grow up to become one of those "rowdy young visitors to the Villages" that people worry about.

Even if it was not against the law, which it is, it is never a good idea to feed anything that is wild. As God gave them the knowledge to find food, that is best for their health.

Oh NOOOOO! You were feeding turtles? And possibly alligators too?? How DARE you bring a smile to your grandchildren's face by doing something that might infringe on the earths wildlife.

All I can say is I BEST not catch you feeding any ducks and don't you dare try feeding seagulls at the beach! That might break a "rule" and you wouldn't want to break a "rule" because the "rules" can NEVER be broken. EVER!!!!! Do you understand? EVER!