Florida is seeing a record high number of reported alligator bites this summer. With , 2017 has already surpassed that number with sixteen total so far this year. With five months left in the year, The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) worries the warmer weather is pushing alligators into inhabited parts of Florida.
Alan Register of in Palmdale, Florida, said alligators are attracted to certain human behaviors that may cause them to think a person is food. He also said alligators have a natural fear of people, but鈥�
鈥淭hey lose the fear, obviously, when people feed them,鈥� said Register. 鈥淪o, if there鈥檚 any splashing around in water, that鈥檚 going to cause them to come closer. They鈥檙e going to be curious. They are opportunistic eaters, so whenever the opportunity arises, they鈥檙e going to eat. They aren鈥檛 really stalkers, per say, but they will attack given the right circumstance.鈥�
The most recent alligator bite in southwest Florida happened July 9. A was airlifted to Lee Memorial Hospital after being bitten on her leg while gardening behind her San Carlos Park home. Just two days before on July 7th, a while diving for golf balls, and the next day, a while swimming in the Peace River. All three have been released from the hospital.
The FWC said alligator as more alligators are reported in urban areas. Wildlife officials recommend never feeding an alligator. It鈥檚 against the law.
can be caught and euthanized. Report them to the FWC through its at 866-FWC-GATOR.
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