A biologist said that the uptick in deadly alligator attacks in Florida stems from an increasing number of both humans and gators in the state.
“The truth is, is alligator populations have exploded. What you need to keep in mind is that alligators just a few decades ago were critically endangered. They are one of our greatest conservation success stories, to the point now they are no longer endangered,” Jeff Corwin, the biologist, told Fox News.
“If there is a body of water in Florida, if there is a pond, a swamp, a lagoon, even a swimming pool, it’s very likely there is an alligator nearby. We both share this ecosystem together, and that is where you get situations like this.”
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, the state “has experienced tremendous human population growth.”
“Many residents seek waterfront homes, and increasingly participate in water-related activities. This can result in more frequent alligator-human interactions, and a greater potential for conflict,” the agency stated.
Corwin told Fox that people can forget that gators are vicious animals that will attack humans if they’re close. “People need to recognize is that these are powerful, powerful creatures,” Corwin said.
“Anything that’s about the right size and the right opportunity is potential prey,” Marty Main, an expert in alligator behavior and program leader for natural resources at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, told the Tampa Bay Times. “They can even go for adults if you find yourself in a compromising position.”
The Fish and Wildlife Commission warned people never to feed gators and to stay away if they see one. Swimming should only be done in designated swimming areas during daylight areas and pets should be kept on leashes and away from the water.
“Anywhere there is standing water, an alligator might be found,” Melody Kilborn, a Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission spokesperson, told WFLA.
“Alligators are most active and visible when the weather is warm, and in some places in Florida, that can occur year round. Anytime the weather is warm, Floridians and visitors should take precautionary measures when near the water to reduce the chances of conflicts with alligators. “
Corwin’s assessment came after gators were seen dragging the body of a teen near a lake in St. Petersburg on July 4.
“There are signs of alligator involvement, although due to the condition of the body it’s too soon to know the cause of death,” the St. Petersburg Police Department said in a statement obtained by WFTS.
“I seen the gator chomping on it,” Otis Crawford, the man who called police after seeing the body in the lake, told the broadcaster. “So I walked out onto the dock out there, took a video and kind of determined it’s something. I’m glad I noticed before the gator got the body into the bushes and then nobody would have ever known.”
In late June, a man’s body was found floating in a canal in Polk City. Officials later said the body was partially eaten by gators; his hand and foot were found inside of a large gator in a nearby canal.
According to the commission (pdf), there were eight major alligator bites on people in 2018, with one proving fatal. The previous year, there were 10 major bites with none proving fatal.
There was one death by gators in both 2016 and 2015.
The number of deaths has been higher in earlier years. In 2006 and 2001 there were three fatal attacks while there were two deaths in 2005, 2004, and 1993.
In a fact sheet (pdf), the commission said that even with the population growth, the likelihood of a Florida resident being seriously injured during an unprovoked alligator incident is roughly one in 3.1 million. From 1948 to 2018, 410 such incidents have happened, with 25 resulting in death.
