Firefighters fed gator near toddler-snatching Disney site: report

[groundloop]

Source: CBS News

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Firefighters at Walt Disney World were warned to stop feeding alligators at one of the resort's fire stations two months before an alligator killed a toddler.

According to emails obtained by the Orlando Sentinel, Reedy Creek Emergency Services admonished firefighters for feeding at least one of two alligators at a station less than a half-mile from Seven Seas Lagoon, where 2-year-old son Lane Graves was killed after being pulled into the water by a gator.

Feeding alligators is illegal because it causes the animals to lose their natural fear of humans.

"You would think that the firefighters would be a little bit more in tune with the trouble that could cause and not do it," David Hitzig, executive director of the Busch Wildlife Center, a refuge and nature center in Jupiter, remarked to the newspaper. "You would figure they would have more common sense than that. ... When you feed an alligator, you're attracting it to people.".

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/firefighters-fed-alligator-near-toddler-snatching-disney-site-report/

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STUPID STUPID STUPID. That's a stunt usually reserved for tourists, especially with baby gators.

[rjsquirrel]

1. I figure Disney doesn't walk away from this for less

than a 40 million dollar settlement.

Lawyer friend of mine predicts 100 million.

[father founding]

7. a mouse's work is never done

Mickey is going to have to work overtime.

[woodsprite]

2. There are lots of stupid people in the world.

My MIL (who lives in Florida) has a neighbor who regularly feeds the alligators chicken from his dock on the pond. My MIL has reported him to the police, who come out and talk with him (should fine him), and he goes right on doing it. He even has his grandson on the dock with him when he feeds them because the little boy (7yo) wants to see them up close. Those same gators regularly sun themselves in Mom's yard and have gone in their potting shed and garage before.

UGH!!!

[csziggy]

5. Tell her to call the Florida Wildlife people - they will get more emphatic about it

They are the ones who get called when the gators get aggressive from being fed by humans. And they are the ones who have to kill the wildlife they want to protect.

Call 888-404-FWCC

If you suspect a fish, wildlife, boating, or environmental law violation, report it to the FWC's Wildlife Alert Reward Program: 888-404-FWCC (3922).

Cell phone users can reach us at *FWC or #FWC, depending on your service provider.

Report violations online
If your information results in an arrest, you may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. See Reward Categories for details.

Report violations via text message.
Most cell phones allow users to send text messages directly to an email address. You can text [e-mail]; standard usage fees may apply.

http://myfwc.com/contact/wildlife-alert/

[cynzke]

3. THEY LOSE THEIR FEAR OF HUMANS, BUT....

As most wild animals do, they learn to associate humans and the area as a source of food. Animals end up a nuisance and then have to be killed when they cause property damage or pose a danger to humans.

[IronLionZion]

4. Disney knew there were gators in the water, and how to deal with them

Florida firefighters would know better. Florida companies (Disney) would know better. And they should do more to keep people away from the water with signs and even some basic verbal instructions when guests check in.

Tourists from other places might not know but the locals should know better.

[groundloop]

6. I grew up in Florida and it wasn't uncommon to come across gators

A county park I used to frequent often had a gator or two sunning itself. People just knew to give them a wide berth (and DEFINITELY don't feed it), there were zero problems.

Fast forward to now.... my wife's stupid sister took a trip to Florida and came across a roadside park where there were baby gators. She thought it was cool to get photos of her two kids feeding them. I went ballistic but with people like that it doesn't do any good. More and more gators will need to be destroyed because they've come to associate people with food.

[Oneironaut]

8. As with most animal attacks, this seems to be the primary catalyst.

You don't want a massive predator to associate humans with food