The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF), in collaboration with ten other Southeastern states, has launched GatorWise.org to educate the public on safely coexisting with alligators. LDWF Alligator Program Manager Jep Linscombe says the first tip is to be aware…
“The concept is to tell people, listen, you live in Louisiana, and even though you’ve never seen an alligator in that bayou or that body of water, it’s quite possible there’s an alligator in it.”
Linscombe says the website offers other practical tips, such as don’t harassing them, avoid disposing of food scraps in water, and never feed them…
“Unfortunately, it’s not illegal to feed alligators in this state. Although it is illegal in most range states. It’s not illegal in Louisiana, but it is extremely irresponsible to feed alligators.”
Linscombe says while alligator attacks are rare in the state, and since the 1970’s there’s only been fewer than 25 attacks, three to four thousand nuisance complaints are filed every year.
“And that results in somewhere between 1500 to 2000 animals being either harvested or relocated.”
Linscombe says the initiative aims to foster realistic perceptions about alligators and provide guidance to minimize human-alligator encounters.
Comments