ARFF - Alligators


	Update: In September 2006, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced that it would embark on a "comprehensive review" of alligator management in Florida, including the hunting of alligators, the collection of eggs and killing of alligators for commercial purposes, and "nuisance" alligator issues. The review began with an online survey, and continued with a series of public meetings, to get input from Florida residents. Not surprisingly, Floridians have widely different views about the alligator. For example, according to the FWC, the results of the survey "indicated Floridians are fairly evenly divided over whether alligator harvest regulations are too restrictive or too lenient." Thank you to everyone who completed a survey, or spoke at a meeting in defense of Florida's alligators! Your involvement ensured that hunters and trappers were not the only people the Commission heard from. In May 2007, the FWC released a number of draft proposals. The proposals include some good ideas, such as creating a public awareness/education campaign to teach Floridians how to co-exist with alligators and handle emergency situations. Unfortunately, the FWC also recommended a closer look at the idea of changing the alligator's current "species of special concern" status. ARFF will follow this process and will strongly oppose any proposal to weaken protections for alligators in Florida.

	Alligators and humans have lived in peaceful co-existence for millions of years and attacks are a rarity— typically occurring when people have unnatural interaction with alligators (such as feeding), disturb their territory or pose a threat to their young. Habitat preservation, combined with respect and a basic understanding of alligator behavior are key to maintaining a healthy relationship with our wild neighbors.
	Alligator Wrestling Alligator wrestling is one of Florida's cruelest attractions. Shows are billed as "Man vs. Gator," a contest in which the odds are stacked against the alligator. One thing is certain: alligators are never willing participants in this spectacle. The act begins when an alligator is dragged by the tail into the center of a ring. A wrestler jumps onto the alligator's back, putting pressure with both hands on the animal's neck, forcing his or her head down. Wrestlers may hit the animal on the nose until the animal opens their mouth (to show the alligator's teeth to the crowd). Other wrestlers force the mouth closed with one hand, and attempt to flip the animal. This can cut off circulation to the brain. Shows often end with the overturned alligator losing consciousness. Alligator Farming Alligators are raised for their skin and flesh on alligator "farms" throughout the southern United States. Farms raise alligators from eggs (often collected from wild alligator nests) to slaughter. Farmed alligators often live for years in dirty, crowded, highly unnatural conditions in concrete or metal tanks. Disease and fighting among farmed alligators is commonplace. Tens of thousands of these magnificent animals are killed on Florida farms each year. Slaughter on alligator farms is often inhumane. Alligators are clubbed with hammers or shot with a bangstick, while some farms sever the spinal cord using axes or sharp wedges, leaving the animal alive but paralyzed while he or she is skinned. It is not uncommon for alligators to be skinned while still breathing, their eyes open and fully conscious. Alligator Hunting Alligators are hunted in darkness on lakes and waterways in Florida. Harpoons are the most popular weapon for hunting alligators, although a three-prong "snatch" hook used with a fishing rod, baited wooden pets, and bows are also common. After being harpooned or hooked, the unlucky alligator is fought to exhaustion, drawn close to the boat, and killed by lowering his or head beneath the water and firing a bangstick. Hunters describe how, upon firing this device the "blood colors the water a cloudy red." Regulations state that alligators must be killed before being dragged into a boat, but the improper placement and discharge of the bangstick frequently renders the alligator only temporarily unconscious. Without having the spinal cord severed and the brain destroyed, the alligator is left to suffer long after being pulled from the water.

	Alligators are part of what makes Florida unique and we must learn to respect them. Although they may seem intimidating, alligators are naturally fearful of humans and will typically only attack if they or their young are being threatened. They only lose their fear when they are fed and handled by humans.

	Alligators play an important role in Florida's ecosystem. Alligators build ponds and nest in wetlands that create habitats for a wide variety of wildlife. Alligators also have complex social behavior, including elaborate courtship displays. You can hear the bellowing of courting alligators in swamps in the spring. Recent studies on alligator social behavior show significant complexity in these animals' ability to communicate vocally and visually through a complex series of body postures. Female alligators are very protective of their nests, and baby alligators will stay with their mothers for as long as two years. These unique animals have existed for millions of years and can live to be more than 30 years old in the wild. Yet these much-maligned creatures have much to fear when they encounter human beings, who have left them with dwindling habitats and food sources as we continue to develop open land. To make matters worse they are tortured and killed for our amusement and profit.

	Living with Alligators The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission suggests following these safety tips: –When working or relaxing near water, be aware of your surroundings. Alligators live in fresh or brackish water and are most active between dusk and dawn. –Never allow children or companion animals to play unsupervised in or around waters that may contain large alligators. –Observe and photograph alligators only from a distance. How You Can Help Florida's Majestic Alligators 1. Educate friends and family members about alligators and how they are vital to Florida's ecosystem. Download ARFF's brochure about Florida alligators (PDF file) 2. Please don't feed alligators. Like other wildlife, alligators may become accustomed to handouts and grow dependent on humans - a risky proposition for both feeders and animals. This dependency endangers the lives of alligators, since those who come too close to populated areas searching for food are usually considered a threat and killed. Feeding alligators is also against the law in Florida. 3. Never buy products made from alligators. The alligator farming industry is attempting to introduce alligator products into mainstream markets. Please speak out against the sale of alligator meat or skin. 4. Don't support tourist attractions that feature alligator wrestling. Ask friends and family members visiting Florida to do the same. After decades as a roadside attraction in Florida, alligator wrestling is becoming less common. Please write to the following attractions where alligator wrestling can still be witnessed and urge them to discontinue the cruel spectacle. Tell them that there is nothing educational about the harassment and abuse of wildlife. • Everglades Holiday Park (Fort Lauderdale, FL) Clint Bridges, General Manager E-mail: info@evergladesholidaypark.com Online comment form. *In June 2007, three Everglades Holiday Park tour guides were arrested and charged with feeding alligators. One employee was also charged with illegally touching alligators. • Seminole Okalee Indian Village (located at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, in Hollywood, FL) Online comment form. • Native Village (Hollywood, FL) E-mail: nativevillage@ureach.com Online comment form. • Everglades Alligator Farm (Florida City, FL) Charles & Deborah Thibos, owners E-Mail: info@everglades.com • Gator Park (Miami, FL) Phone: (800) 559-2205