13-foot alligator removed from swimming area

A Marion County sheriff’s deputy responded Saturday to a call about a 13-foot alligator that had taken up residence in the designated swimming zone at Silver Glenn Springs Recreation Area located at 5271 North Highway 19.

The deputy called a few trappers for backup and together, they brought the alligator ashore.

This 13-foot alligator was removed from a designated swimming area in Marion County.
This 13-foot alligator was removed from a designated swimming area in Marion County.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission contracted trappers took the alligator into their custody. The swimming area has since reopened to the public.

Alligator complaints on the rise

In Florida, the growing number of people living and recreating near water has led to a steady rise in the number of alligator-related complaints.

Villager Robert J. Hempel shot this photo of an alligator this past week lurking by hole #5 at Sweet Gum Executive Golf Course.
Villager Robert J. Hempel shot this photo of an alligator this past week lurking by hole #5 at Sweet Gum Executive Golf Course.
This sign at a pond at Morse Boulevard and County Road 466 reminds Villagers that it is against the law to feed alligators.
This sign at a pond at Morse Boulevard and County Road 466 reminds Villagers that it is against the law to feed alligators.

The majority of these complaints relate to alligators being where they simply aren’t wanted. Because of these complaints, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program permits the killing of approximately 7,000 nuisance alligators each year. Using this approach, and through increased public awareness, the rate of alligator bites on people has remained constant despite the increased potential for alligator-human interactions as Florida’s human population has grown. Alligators are an important part of Florida’s landscape and play a valuable role in the ecology of our state’s wetlands. Alligators are predators and help keep other aquatic animal populations in balance.

Ron Clark shot this photo of an alligator tip-toeing into the water.
Ron Clark shot this photo of an alligator tip-toeing into the water.

Although most Floridians understand that we have alligators living in our state, the potential for conflict exists. Because of their predatory nature, alligators may target pets and livestock as prey. Unfortunately, people also are occasionally bitten. Since 1948, Florida has averaged about five unprovoked bites per year. During that period, a little more than 300 unprovoked bites to people have been documented in Florida, with 22 resulting in deaths.