All of southern
"We actually got two separate reports about it," said DNR Fisheries Biologist Zack Brown. "They were estimating it was about five feet and they were pretty accurate in their estimation."
The reports indicated the gator was up on the bank and in the water. He was shot along the bank near the highway that borders the lake. Brown estimates the gator probably hadn’t been there for more than a week because there would have likely been far more sightings and reports.
"We’re assuming that it definitely had to be imported through someone’s pet or they illegally imported it down in
Brown says the size of the gator, however, is a factor in the investigation. He theorizes it would have been difficult for just anyone to have a five-foot alligator as a pet.
Some upon hearing of the story were critical of the state for killing the animal, but Brown says there were several factors leaving no choice but to destroy the invasive reptile.
"People often take their children around and something that big potentially could hurt somebody. It’s a public safety issue," said Brown. "Plus we’re not really trained in handling alligators, you’d have to go to the Florida DNR for that expertise."
Brown adds relocating the gator to "suitable" habitat would be a long way off.
Brown says the gator had killed a largemouth bass about 1 to 2 pounds and was eating on it. It’s unlikely the gator had any negative impacts on the watershed.
The gator wouldn’t have survived a
"Once the temperature gets below 50 and the water temperature below 45, they’re unable to surface and they’ll drown," said Brown.