Greetings- Please, read the report of a recent (5/28/01) encounter with a less than timid gator. Understand that the estimate of size is a conservative one and that any suggestions with regard to behavior around gators is given in good faith. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- Had quite and unusual gator encounter today. Paddling in Big Muddy Cove, Georgetown, FL. Had one paddler with me. Encountered a large gator (8'). Was not on course to contact gator and was 30-40 feet away. Gator was between me and the shoreline. Gator was at least 70' from shore. Water is at least 3/4 mile wide. Gator submerged. Watched bubble trail head directly for kayak. Found this highly unusual, until, encountered second gator 100' away. Similar course and distance, no threat to gator. This gator displayed similar behavior, submerged and headed directly towards kayak. Bubble trail was closing in. Looked down to watch gator pass under kayak. Gator chose to surface alongside kayak and slung its head sideways, striking kayak about five inches from my hand. Collected my partner and evacuated the area immediately. Suspicion is that we must have unintentionally entered a nursery. Still, unable to completely explain behavior as we were 100' from shore and hatchlings would never be that far out. This area is seldom visited and we won't be visiting it for a while. I have always taught people that gators are binary systems. Well, this time of year they are definitely in the "on'" position. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- Opinion from a gator behaviorist at University of Florida reinforced our nursery conclusion. Subsequent conversations with other backwater users suggests that gators in our area are becoming less timid. (My Opinion) Loss of habitat (due to development), increased gator populations (due to Gov't protection) and increasing human contact (more people boating or fishing) may all be contributing factors to increasingly aggressive behavior. I paddle extremely remote areas and have encountered in excess of a thousand adult gators and have never experienced aggressive behavior such as this. I know (knew)? how to act around gators. Please, do be cautious. Here is an address to a "Links Page" for people interested in learning more about the American Alligator. http://nersp.nerdc.ufl.edu/~biolab/crocpage.html Bruce McC www.wholeearthoutfitters.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Tue Jun 05 2001 - 07:15:56 PDT
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