Alligators
I've lived in Florida for 30 years. My home is located on a canal that has alligators in it. We raised two children in this house, with the canal just twenty feet from their bedroom windows. I raised them to be aware of the alligators and told them exactly why. They may have had gator nightmares but I figured therapy as an adult was cheaper than prosthetics -- or worse-- as a child.
Alligators are endemic to Florida. Where there is water, even occasionally in salt water, you can find gators. That is why it is imperative not to feed alligators--in fact, in Florida, you can wind up in jail for doing so. They fear humans unless they start associating them as a food source. If wildlife officials know of a fed alligator, they will "remove" it. Usually, they are killed as the animal is no longer endangered.
So, this is why you don't go in open water in Florida. The chances there's an alligator in it are pretty high. I don't expect visitors to Florida to realize this. When they see "no swimming" signs they probably don't realize the signs are there because of dangerous animals in the water. Out side of tropical climates, there is no predator to worry about in fresh water, I don't think. Florida has them.
In my opinion, I think Disney was negligent in this recent incident. They shouldn't have had a beach set up on the lagoon. Their guests probably wouldn't know about alligators, but they certainly should. They should have warned guests about the dangers of alligators, especially, warning them about not feeding the gators.
My heart goes out to the family that lost the little boy. I can't imagine the devastation they are feeling. God Bless them.
Alligators are endemic to Florida. Where there is water, even occasionally in salt water, you can find gators. That is why it is imperative not to feed alligators--in fact, in Florida, you can wind up in jail for doing so. They fear humans unless they start associating them as a food source. If wildlife officials know of a fed alligator, they will "remove" it. Usually, they are killed as the animal is no longer endangered.
So, this is why you don't go in open water in Florida. The chances there's an alligator in it are pretty high. I don't expect visitors to Florida to realize this. When they see "no swimming" signs they probably don't realize the signs are there because of dangerous animals in the water. Out side of tropical climates, there is no predator to worry about in fresh water, I don't think. Florida has them.
In my opinion, I think Disney was negligent in this recent incident. They shouldn't have had a beach set up on the lagoon. Their guests probably wouldn't know about alligators, but they certainly should. They should have warned guests about the dangers of alligators, especially, warning them about not feeding the gators.
My heart goes out to the family that lost the little boy. I can't imagine the devastation they are feeling. God Bless them.