Southwest Florida alligator encounters

Given the variety of lakes, natural ponds and waterways that grace the terrain of so many neighborhoods. Southwest Florida alligator encounters are always a real possibility, but not necessarily a problem until it actually becomes one. Recent weeks have seen several atypical episodes in man vs alligator-type situations. One instance involved an Estero man who was walking his cavalier King Charles Spaniel beside a pond when a gator leapt from the water to lock the pup within its jaws. Fortunate the dog’s owner snapped to the rescue to manhandle the spaniel from the mandibles of the gator, not only saving the dog, but also his cigar! Another recent situation happened in Naples when a gator attacked a dog that was chasing a wayward golf ball near a water hazard. In that case, a golfer drove his cart into the water to rescue the dog. Not all of Southwest Florida alligator encounters end so positively, but it’s safe to presume not everyone can be a Crocodile Dundee. The Florida wildlife commission has some excellent pointers to keep in mind to prevent more problematic Southwest Florida alligator encounters:

• Alligators generally become more activewhenweather warms . They like to bask in the sun to control  theirbody temperature, so they can easily be observed from a distance.
• Gators are more active from dusk to dawn, so the FWC recommends swimming during daylight hours and in designated swimming areas only.
• It is advisable to keep pets leashed and away from the water when on a walk.
• The FWC suggests keeping your distance from any alligator you may come across.
• It is also illegal to feed an alligator.

become more active as the weather warms up. They bask in the sun to control body temperature, so they can easily be observed from a distance.

• Gators are more active from dusk to dawn, so the FWC recommends swimming during daylight hours and in designated swimming areas only.
• It is advisable to keep pets leashed and away from the water when on a walk.
• The FWC suggests keeping your distance from any alligator you may come across.
• It is also illegal to feed an alligator.

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