Alligators are abundant in Florida, USA, and residents are advised to stay away from these big reptiles at least 50 feet away to void danger. But sometimes, alligators can also be found anywhere else other than their natural habitats.
For instance, video footage shared on the Facebook page of Hodge Pool Service on Tuesday showed that an 8 feet alligator was caught moving slowly in a family swimming pool. This prompted the immediate intervention by wildlife control authorities, who struggled to pull the animal out of the water.
An Alligator in the Pool
Jon Hodge, who owns the pool service in Venice, Florida, and the one who captured the footage of the alligator in the family swimming pool, told Newsweek that the homeowners were not in the house because it was already put on sale. The alligator was able to tear the pool screen and made itself feel at home.
He recalled that seeing the alligator up close was intimidating because it felt like it held so much power. He hopes to never come across another one ever again in the pool but said that he enjoys just watching alligators from afar.
They immediately alerted wildlife experts from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to safely move the alligator out of the swimming pool and keep it out of danger. In another video, it shows that FWC experts were struggling to lift the animal free from the pool as it thrashed around, displaying its power. But they eventually were able to get it out of the pool and put it in a safer place.
They estimated the alligator to have measured between six and eight feet long. Although this might be the first time Hodge encountered such an incident, FWC said that this is quite common. On January 7, an alligator was also filmed running across a golf course in Bradenton, Florida, with a huge fish in its mouth.
How to Live With Alligators in Florida?
More and more homes and resorts spring into action in Florida as locals and tourists flock to the region, according to Key West Aquarium. But as the state's population increases, the swamps that used to be the natural habitats of alligators become less and increase the possibility of animal encounters. While there are 20 million people in Florida, there are also more than 1 million alligators.
Authorities have warned people to stay away from alligators and do not disturb them to avoid being attacked. In 2018, FWC statistics showed that around nine people were bitten by these reptiles, of which eight were considered major, and one person was fatally attacked.
Although this is a rare event, ABC Action News reported some guidelines from FWC on how people can safely live in Florida despite the possibility of encountering alligators. Check it out below.
- Be aware of alligators in fresh and brackish water areas.
- Avoid swimming outside the swimming areas or in waters where alligators live, especially at dawn.
- Do not allow pets to drink or play in waters inhabited by alligators.
- Leave alligators alone and do not check if they are alive.
- Never feed them.
- Dispose of fresh scraps in garbage cans when aboard ramps or fish camps.
- Immediately seek medical attention when bitten by an alligator.
- Observe and capture pictures of them from a distance.
Lastly, immediately call Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-392-4286 if an alligator seems to pose a threat to the safety of the public.
RELATED ARTICLE : [VIDEO] Two Alligators Locked in a Fight to Death at a Golf Course in South Carolina
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