The CDD is occasionally contacted about nuisance alligators. This is the procedure that should be followed, per the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which can be referenced at this link: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/alligator/snap/#:~:text=People%20concerned%20about%20an%20alligator,866%2D392%2D4286).
- The alligator should be reported to FWC Alligator Nuisance Hotline 866-392-4286 by the resident. District Managers are not firsthand witnesses, and the FWC needs a firsthand witness to inform them of the location, time, activity, size, and behavior of the alligator to determine if it is a nuisance.
- Nuisance criteria is in excess of 4 ft and should be showing some signs of aggression and/or approaching people/private property. Examples of this are: “the gator is 7 feet long,” “the gator is coming up to me when I am outside near the pond,” or “the gator attacked my cat.” Laying on the bank is not aggressive behavior; remember they don’t live in the water exclusively.
- During this process the resident will be made aware that the gator will not be relocated, it will be harvested.
- Once the resident calls FWC and reports the gator, which is deemed a nuisance, the resident will be given a report number. This report number needs to be given to the District Manager, and then the District Manager can call FWC and provide this number to authorize legal access to the CDD property to trap the gator. FWC will then issue a permit to a trapper to come out and trap the gator.
- Please keep in mind that regardless of performing the steps above appropriately/correctly, the trapper still may or may not find the gator as they do travel from pond to pond.
Finally, a reminder to please, please don't feed or interact with alligators you see. It is dangerous and illegal.
