Learn More He wouldnt speculate on what, if anything, the council may do. Do not swim in water inhabited by Alligators. Sanibel Island is an incredible place to experience nature. 9 years ago Save Actually, Sanibel has a gator population estimated at about 300-350 gators, mostly due to the fact 65% of the island is protected conservation land and there are numerous small lakes and ponds for them to live in. They say theres 300 of them on this island.. The victim told Abo that he was trying to keep the alligator from pulling him into the water, and that if the nearly 10-foot animal rolled, a technique alligators use to harm prey, he would roll with it. Enter your message or notes here to be included in the email. What went wrong: A look at the detainment and release of NFL player Nate Allen by Fort Myers police. I think its up to the city of Sanibel to decide if their policy is appropriate and theyll take whatever action is necessary to protect the public.. The City of Sanibel has established procedures for receiving alligator and crocodile complainants and handling nuisance alligators or crocodiles. The 12th was Robert Steele, 81, who died on Sept. 11, 2001, after being bitten near his home off Rabbit Road, not far from where Melsek was attacked. And myself, along with the fire department, were just a couple of minutes away, and were there pretty quickly to put on a commercial grade tourniquet and south of bleeding and do our assessment and provide emergency medical care for him, Abo said. GatorBites Tail & Ale They did say the gator will be put asleep. Latest News Updates for Sanibel Island & SWFL. Please do your part in protecting the Island's wildlife by not feeding alligators. Kati Sherrard, who was hired to be the [], An alligator was captured in a Sanibel pond Thursday afternoon after the reptile seriously injured a man working on the island. Among the fascinating animals and birds to observe is the mighty Alligator. Never feed or entice alligators it is dangerous and illegal. Laitham Haddad shared the video with Fort Myers NBC affiliate WBBH. Nevertheless, the mayor believes the island will be open on January 2. Janie Melsek Photo: The News-Press. Students, staff, family, and friends came together on Friday for the annual unified basketball game at Fort Myers High School. Firefighters are battling several brush fires in Charlotte County; the one off McCall Road threatens several buildings, including a church. Pitts grabbed her smaller dog, and Honey was able to run away from the gator unscathed. Sanibel Fires Division Chief Tim Barrett told Fox 4 that the alligator was between 8 and 10 feet long. 239-395-7671, Copyright 2020 - 2021|Avada Theme by. The cause of death was listed as "systemic inflammatory response syndrome." I can say that gentleman was sitting there with a temporary tourniquet, which is one of the things that saved his life from hemorrhaging, said Dr. Benjamin Abo. 2000s. The attack happened on the 2400 block of Periwinkle Way around 11:00 am. Luckily the man could pull himself free, but he lost a lot of blood. An alligator is seen during a kayak tour near Everglades City on Dec. 2. During the emergency Thursday, bystanders and the victim fashioned a makeshift tourniquet out of an orange power chord, wrapping it around his upper arm before paramedics arrived. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. And we love our tourists. Florida is one of their favorite habitats, of course! The Truth About Alligators on Sanibel Island, The Best Sanibel Stories Come from Guests. The body of Alexandria Murphy was found near the shoreline of Lake Cannon in Winter Haven an hour after her family reported her missing. As I pulled up, the man was sitting on the side, with blood coming out, with an extension chord that that he used as a makeshift tourniquet, said Sanibel Fire & Rescue District medical director Dr. Benjamin Abo, who specializes in wilderness medicine and who treated the man on-site. Once endangered, alligators now number more than 1 million, state officials believe. Police just captured the gator that bit a mans arm on Sanibel Island. There are many misconceptions about Alligators but they are still dangerous and as humans, we have to behave, Forgotten Sanibel Recipe Lemon Pecten Cakes, Local Sanibel Artist Rachel Pierce Hurricane Ian & Pop Up Shops, Sanibel Bailey Tract Trails & Meditation Hike! Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. Authorities confirmed that the victim was from Arkansas and was a construction worker focused on recovery from Hurricane Ian, which decimated the area in September. If you would like to watch t. The. The 9-foot-8-inch male alligator responsible for the attack was caught and destroyed. She died at 9:15 a.m. Friday during surgery at Lee Memorial Hospital as doctors tried to combat the infection that spread through her body. Pitts says you never know whats lurking below the waters surface. Attached to the Shipley Trail and close to the Bailey Homestead. Alligators can climb and quite well, just something to be aware of. Administrative Services/ Human Resources/ Benefits/ Pensions, Business Tax Receipts (formerly Occupational Licenses), Police including Emergency Management Forms, Register with AlertLee for Emergency Announcements, Register for Recreation Center Activities, City of Sanibel Demographics - April 27, 2021, Commercial Hurricane Re-Entry Application. SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. -- Janie Melseks death Friday morning had many people on Sanibel talking about the same thing alligators. I thought about whether to post this news or. "All of a sudden a trapper saw it and hooked it. It is during these times that alligator sightings are most prevalent. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "Pretty much every body of water has an alligator in it, including some swimming pools," Chief Barrett said. Remember they are an important part of Sanibel's natural history as well as an integral component of our freshwater ecosystem. Lauri Olin, 56, of Rabbit Road on Sanibel, was working for Wilson Landscape and Pond when a 6-foot, 7-inch gator grabbed her hand while she worked at 5206 Punta Caloosa Court, said Officer Joanne Adams, a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokeswoman. According to the press release, the man suffered a serious injury to his right forearm. SANIBEL, Fla. A man is in the hospital after an alligator bit him Thursday morning on Sanibel Island, and according to Florida's Fish and Wildlife, the gator will be put to sleep. Sanibel contains over 2,200 acres of freshwater wetlands that provide habitat for a sizable population of alligators. State law prohibits killing, feeding, harassing or possession of alligators. is 6,400 Acres of preserved and undeveloped mangrove ecosystem land. U.S. news An 88-year-old woman was killed in a suspected alligator attack at a gated community near Hilton Head, S.C. "It was guarding her and did not want people close by," a law enforcement. FWC. The animal will be euthanized. March 11, 2005: Donald Ray Owen, 56, was found dead in Six Pound Pond near Lakeland in Polk County with multiple alligator bites and the left arm amputated below the elbow. The City of Sanibel | 800 Dunlop Road | Sanibel, FL 33957. Poor Janie is the one who had to suffer for it.. There is no way she (Olin) could have seen it.". I think its pretty scary, Ill tell you that, said Elaine Smith, a customer service representative at Bank of the Islands. It was evident that hed lost a lot of blood and potentially had other damage to his tendons, Abo said. Alligators, if they have been left alone, will generally not attack you. "She got stitches in her right hand and was given appropriate medication and medical care," Adams said. Expect sustained winds between ten to twenty miles per hour, with wind gusts as strong as thirty []. That will require a bit (a lot) of a detour from going directly to Sanibel Island, as the spot to (maybe!) Many people were calling for city officials to do something about the reptiles that have attacked three people on Sanibel since September 2001, killing two of them. A trapper later killed the alligator. No Collier County attacks are included on FWC's list of fatal alligator attacks. He was walking a dog on a narrow path between two wetland areas near J.N. According to Sanibel Fire Department, a 25-year-old man was attacked. May 10, 2006: The dismembered body of Yovy Suarez-Jimenez, 28, was found by construction workers in a canal in Broward County. I dont know if I agree with the brunt of the people blaming the alligator, Myerson said. "Thankfully Lauri's OK," Murray said. Do not harass Alligators in any manner. The alligator dragged her into a pond, tearing at her right arm so severely that part of it was later amputated, and rescuers saved her from the reptile's jaws in what was described as a fierce "tug-of-war.". Small, tropical, inviting, it is easy to feel that there is not a worry in the world while vacationing on Sanibel. My wife Lori and I have been running a successful photography business on the islands since 2000. Hes my service dog, so he saves my life a lot, Pitts said. Man seriously injured after alligator attack on Sanibel, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' star dies at 61. NBC 6's Erika Glover brings us the latest on the attack from an alligator that killed a toddler inside one Disney World resort. The primary factor in the evaluation is determining the potential danger posed by an alligator or crocodile. The alligator, found with the missing leg in his mouth, was destroyed. She had toxic levels of alcohol and an anti-depression drug in her body, and authorities believed she was attacked on land and dragged into the canal. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. As more people start to pile into the area, and beaches reopen, the fish kill will become a bigger problem. Ironically, Olin lives on the same street as Sanibel's only other fatal gator attack victim. May 13, 2006: On the same day Campbell's body was found, the body of Judy W. Cooper, 43, was found in a canal 20 miles north of St. Petersburg, in Pinellas County. They should move the big ones to where theyre not around people.. Come see htem for yourself and book your next Sanibel Holiday vacation. Chamber Executive Director Steve Greenstein insisted that wasnt true. About 50 yards from where Cardenas and her co-workers took a smoke, Andrew Myerson, 39, sat in a small clearing next to a creek where gators are seen so often that signs warn visitors that its against the law to feed them. There were three in the truck, but the one from the attack is the biggest one. Feeding alligators is a criminal act, punishable with up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail. Abo has treated several alligator bites over the years, and commented on dangers of human-alligator run-ins. For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service. Florida Fish and Wildlife and a Florida State trapper arrived on the scene to capture the alligator, according to the City of Sanibel. Gators are common in Florida and Chief Barrett said they respond to these types of calls more often than you will think. Allison Christian faces a charge of aggravated animal cruelty, according to an arrest report. The man had been washing his hands in a pond when the alligator bit him on the forearm in Sanibel, Florida Credit: Wink. Lost a lot of blood, but hes fine.. Sept. 11, 2001, 82-year-old Robert Steele had his leg severed and bled to death when he was attacked by a 10-foot alligator while walking his dog by a Sanibel Island canal. One of the best places to see crocodiles in Florida is also Everglades National Park!. Smith had known Melsek, who was a bank customer, for 23 years. Alligator on Sanibel Island - YouTube View from the wooden bridge that leads to Bowman's beach on Sanibel island View from the wooden bridge that leads to Bowman's beach on Sanibel. Re: Snakes or alligators on Captiva? A chamber employee told a reporter the meeting was about alligators. Murray and Adams say that people need to be aware of their surroundings, but as Adams said, even the trappers had a difficult time finding the gator in the pond where Olin was working. They attack somebody and they take them out and kill them. It usually sat on the bank across the pond, she said. Steve Yetsko who called Sanibel police officers the real heroes in Melseks rescue said hes never had a serious problem with a gator. A press release from the City of Sanibel stated the man was using the pond to wash his hands when the alligator bit his right arm. These feared but fascinating creatures are common on the island. Then, they dragged it in on shore and away from the water to be euthanized. Sanibel officials plan to meet Tuesday, Aug. 3, to discuss city policies on gators, which Councilman Steve Brown says may be too liberal. The 2-year-old Nebraska boy snatched by an alligator at a lake. Pond Apple Trail 1159 Causeway Road. There is a huge commitment to conservation and the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) is the largest, private landowner on the island. Janie Melsek, 54, was attacked Wednesday by the. Also, understand that if youre near a nest, theyre going to be protective.. Copyright 2023 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. We can tell you how to appreciate these mighty creatures, Alligators on Sanibel are very interesting creatures that have been roaming the earth since prehistoric times. It seems to have worked for years. He was taken to an area hospital; his current condition is unknown at this time. The man was able to free. Not only was there a game, but college students showed up for a dunk contest. Name, age, sex Date . Why were all of a sudden having a problem if what weve had is a problem I dont know., Before returning to his chores in a thicket next to his house, Yetsko said he hopes Sanibel residents can continue to live in harmony with nature., I guess you can do it, he said. Sept. 11, 2001, 82-year-old Robert Steele had his leg severed and bled to death when he was attacked by a 10-foot alligator while walking his dog by a Sanibel Island canal. SANIBEL, Fla. (WSVN) Rescue teams saved a man's life after a harrowing alligator attack in Sanibel. Ironically, Olin lives on the same street as Sanibel's only other fatal gator attack victim. Mayor Marty Harrity met Friday with directors of the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce. Never allow small children to play by themselves near water. It never was a problem.. Campbell was a Tennessee visitor who was snorkeling in a secluded recreation area. They are often spotted on Sanibel (though rarely on Captiva) which is a wonderful habitat for them as much as it is a great vacation spot for us! Contrary to popular belief, they have good eyesight and, their blind spot is in front of their nose. SANIBEL, Fla. A man was hospitalized after an alligator bit him on the arm. She later died of the wounds. The skin was very torn up on his arm. At least four people have been killed in alligator incidents this year in the U.S., two in Florida. Sept. 26, 2004: Georgia college student Michelle Reeves, 20, drowned after an alligator bit off part of her right arm while she apparently went skinny-dipping in a lake in Fort Myers. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. Trappers later killed 10 alligators in the Dead River, including one they decided was responsible. There have been 22 fatalities attributed to alligator bites and attacks since 1973, records show. I dont know that were getting a reputation for it, Greenstein said. Five years ago last week Sanibel Island landscaper Janie Melsek lost her life to complications from an alligator attack. In April 2004, a 74-year-old woman was grabbed by the leg and pulled underwater by a 9-foot, 7-inch gator. June 18, 2003: A 12-year-old boy was fatally mauled by an alligator while swimming with friends at Palm Gardens Marina, about 35 miles northwest of Orlando. The gator, a 12-foot, 3-inch male was removed and destroyed. The decorative pond is about the size of a swimming pool, said Sanibel Police Maj. Michael Murray. Chief Barrett explained that capturing the gator was like fishing. If fishing, throw fish scraps away into trash cans, not the water. Sadly, there was a time they almost became extinct. Twenty-five of those attacks were fatal, including two in Lee County both on Sanibel Island in 2001 and 2004. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, where alligators are often sighted, according to the Sanibel Captiva Guide. People can expect to [], A family in Texas has finally been reunited with their dog that ran away seven years ago. At Baileys General Store, employees Anastasia Cardenas, John Howsmon and Travis Rudder talked about gators as they took a break from work. The attack on Melsek made headlines internationally because of a heroic effort to save her by several men who heard her screams and Sanibel Police officers who rushed to her aid. A woman who had worked on Sanibel for many years was attacked by an alligator while working. At the last check, the victim is in the hospital but is expected to be okay. She later died in surgery from an infection acquired from being in the water . After the gator was captured FWC's gator trappers gave Fox 4 a closer look at the gator that bit a man's arm. The alligator,. Swim in the daytime, Alligators are most active at night. Theyre not in our yard, were in their territory. When fed, alligators lose their natural fear and learn to associate people with food. Donna Yetsko recalled seeing the gator that attacked Melsek at least twice a week. The man is taking antibiotics and needs to clean his wounds thoroughly and often. They manage over 1200 acres of conserved land. 8:49 PM EST, Mon December 19, 2022 A A SANIBEL, Fla. A man was hospitalized after an alligator bit him on the arm. First, alligators are opportunistic eaters. "Actually the trappers were in there for a long time with hooks and we (law enforcement officials) were all standing there looking for the alligator," Adams said. If you want to go there, you will want to go there before you really start driving to Sanibel Island. (3.7 m) alligator while working on landscaping along Poinciana Circle Sanibel, Florida. "But hes a pretty tough old boy. High temperatures will climb into the 80s and low 90s under mostly sunny skies. But neither you nor your dog should approach the edges of fresh or brackish bodies of water as the enticement is great, but the risk is even greater. The man was able to free himself from the. All content Copyright 2000 - 2023 WSVN-TV. Michelle Braun 13 subscribers Subscribe 625 views 1 year ago After a fun day at the beach, many of us were relaxing under our umbrellas; taking in the. Animals in the region were disrupted by Hurricane Ian in September, and may have found new homes in unexpected places. Copyright 2023 Waterman Broadcasting of Florida, LLC, Home News Local Man seriously injured after alligator attack on Sanibel. July 15, 2005: An alligator more than 12 feet long grabbed 41-year-old Kevin Murray by the arm as he swam in Apollo Waterway and pulled him underwater as neighbors watched. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge when the gator dragged him into the water. This was the first recorded fatal alligator attack in Texas since 1836. If you see anything and the gators appear to be nuisance, call the Sanibel police. Second, a full grown alligator can exist on one raccoon for months. A nearby alligator behaved aggressively toward the divers, and was trapped and euthanized. Police shot the reptile to death before rushing Melsek to Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers. Since alligators are cold-blooded reptiles, their metabolic rate increases and decreases as water and air temperatures fluctuate. Alligators On Sanibel Island - The SanCap Guide It's the sunshine state! Despite a pretty gnarly bite, hes going to be OK, and his arm is going to be saved, Abo said. Never let small children play by themselves near freshwater. The only Gator bite you want is just over the causeway offering great food, excellent service, live entertainment, and a large outdoor patio. Since many of the residential neighborhoods on the Island contain lakes or interface with conservation lands containing wetlands, interaction between humans and alligators is likely. The 450-pound alligator was killed. Observe and photograph alligators only from a distance. Between poor water quality and damage from Hurricane Ian, this years wildlife surveys hold extra weight, and researchers are paying special attention to Floridas winter shorebird count. SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. A monster alligator was spotted walking around a parking lot on Sanibel Island, Florida. Observe and photograph alligators only from 30 feet or more away. It is the bite alone which is so full of bacteria that it kills by infection. Murray said it was skinny for an alligator. Sept. 11, 2001:82-year-old Robert Steele had his leg severed and bled to death when he was attacked by a 10-foot alligator while walking his dog by a canal on Sanibel Island. Switchboard: (305) 751-6692 Alligators on Sanibel are awesome to see, but you have to be careful and cautious, make sure you don't feed them or get to close! Please do your part in protecting the Island's wildlife by not feeding alligators. Rubio hopes to rebound four months after loss, Guest commentary: Support solar in Florida? An alligator was trapped and removed from the area. The following is a list of safety tips to ensure that your time spent on Sanibel is both rewarding and safe. Since 1948, 491 people have been bitten. . They rushed to the scene to help the wounded man. Crews are starting the long-term repairs after Hurricane Ian, causing traffic jams in Southwest Florida. Never feed Alligators, this will cause them to lose their natural fear of humans and associate humans with food. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Its the orange cord wrapped around his arm. A trapper killed the alligator suspected in the attack. Inform others that feeding alligators is illegal and creates problems for others who want to use the water for recreational purposes and ultimately results in the need to destroy the animal. Although you are not intentionally feeding alligators when you do this, the end result can be the same. The first 911 call, from Olin's co-worker, came at 11:18 a.m. "It wasn't really that big and it wasn't that deep," Murray said of the pond. , there was a time they almost became extinct. How much should your insurance company pay, and can an adjuster stack on costs? FWCs gator trappers gave us a close up of the gator after it was captured. There are numerous nature trails to explore and a huge wildlife refuge. Chief Barrett explained that the worker is from Arkansas and was washing his hands in the pond when he was attacked. He did a decent job because he made it very tight but also very wide.. Medical professionals applied a commercial-grade tourniquet and took the man to a hospital. WSVN-TVSunbeam Television Corp The man was able to free himself from the. Sanibel has a special permit from the state allowing it to move gators under 8 feet long that get in the way of humans as long as theyre not acting aggressively. Just as we love all wild life on Sanibel, we love our gators. By the beginning of April, when the weather starts to warm, alligators become active, feeding more, looking for new territories and mating. The Sanibel Police Department received a 911 call shortly after 11am after a man was bitten in a pond near a general store on the island.. Visit Gatorbites Website. Murray said he doesn't recall any other Sanibel gator attacks on humans recently. Officials said the man was able to free himself and call 911. Alligator on the beach - Sanibel Island! A 54-year-old landscaper, Melsek was attacked Wednesday by an alligator that was 11 feet, 9 inches long and weighed 457 pounds. - A professional landscaper died Friday after being mauled by a 12-foot alligator that dragged her into a pond and nearly tore off one of her arms. Police Chief Bill Tomlinson said hes been asked to make a presentation on city policies and the alligator complaints the city has recorded. The man was able to free himself and call 911, but sustained serious injury to his right forearm, according to a release by the city of Sanibel. The 2-year-old Nebraska boy snatched by an alligator at a lake in Walt Disney World and whose body was found Wednesday was one of 16 people killed in alligator attacks in Florida since 1997. These Valuable Pennies Are Worth Thousands, First Woman Miami-Dade Transit Bus Operator Wins Roadeo in Competition's 40-Year History, From Haiti Through Liberty City to Top Federal Prosecutor in South Florida: the Unlikely Story of Markenzy Lapointe. "The trappers are saying maybe three or four foot (deep).". Four of those deaths involve a child under age 5. It will be euthanized. The alligator, found . Despite the frightening encounter, that man is expected to recover. His mother told authorities he had been standing in knee-deep water picking water lilies for her. "She kicked it and it let her go.". A 12-foot alligator had been spotted in the lake twice the day before his body was found, forcing the park to close temporarily each time. The City of Sanibel and its authorized agents are authorized to receive and appropriately . Please keep the following tips in mind to ensure the time you spend on Sanibel does not result in a conflict with an alligator: Feeding alligators is a criminal act, punishable with up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail. May 14, 2006: Near Lake George in the Ocala National Forest, the body of 23-year-old Annemarie Campbell was found sticking out of an alligator's mouth by her friends, who beat the reptile until it released her. Yetsko and his wife, Donna Yetsko, 51, were doing yard work of their own Friday when they learned Melsek had died. A photo of the aftermath of the attack is so graphic we had to blur it, but with a closer . When the weather starts to warm, alligators become active, feeding more, looking for new territories and mating. Howsmon, 54, said the gator population needs to be thinned. As the gator tried to drag Melsek into the same small pond it came out of, she told rescuers to cut her arm off to help her get free. Their metabolism is very slow and they are not the ravenous monsters some think they are. They need to do something about it., Its unbelievable, said Rudder, 39. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, along with a Florida State trapper, searched the area in an attempt to capture the alligator. Top 9 Beautiful Beaches On Sanibel & Captiva Island 2022, 19 Best Restaurants On Sanibel Island 2022: A Local's Guide, The Ultimate Local Guide To Shelling On Sanibel Island 2022, 1619 Periwinkle Way, Suite 104 Newsroom: (305) 795-2777. Miami, FL 33141 Melsek was just two years younger than Olin when a gator attacked her while she was doing landscaping on July 21, 2004, on Poinciana Circle near a pond. Weve had too many attacks recently, I think, said Smith, 62. Jeannie Pitts was throwing the frisbee with her dog, Honey, when a gator splashed out of the water. Fifth, alligators can be lighting fast when they see you are in striking distance, 15 feet or less from them and the water. Dispose of fish scraps in garbage cans at freshwater boat ramps, docks or fish camps. A Sanibel landscaper was attacked by a 6-foot alligator Wednesday and escaped with stitches to her hand. FULL STORY:https://t.co/s8YiqlIH9V pic.twitter.com/HIf2fsEoQj. Wind gusts will not become as strong as yesterday. Jeannie Pitts was throwing the frisbee with her dog, Honey, when a gator. They are native to Mexico, China, and the United States. According to officers, the man was washing his hands in the pond when the alligator attacked.. They are native to Mexico, China, and the United States. So it wouldve been devastating, so Im just happy that it turned out the way that it did, and I just want to let other people know that theyre actually there right off the causeway, and that, you know, for people to be careful.. The man was able to free himself and call . A womans service dog had a near death experience when an alligator lunged for it off the Sanibel Causeway recently. If you see an alligator, the best thing to do is leave it alone. The animal rescue said that she had arthritis and could barely walk when she was found. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Fatality Rate: Alligator Attacks = 4.3% Shark Attacks = 1.5%. Experts trapped the cold blooded animal with meat and lassoed it. I am linking . The construction can be seen all around, along with cranes, tools, and the crews doing all the work. Around 2:00 in the afternoon first responders were able to get the alligator out of the pond. They manage over 1200 acres of conserved land. June 23, 2001: A 2-year-old girl wandered from her Winter Haven backyard to a nearby lake and was killed by a 6 1/2-foot alligator. Do not allow pets to swim, exercise, or drink in waters that may contain alligators or in designated swimming areas with humans. We can tell you how to appreciate these mighty creatures safely, respectfully, and responsibly. Among the fascinating animals and birds to observe is the mighty Alligator.