The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is urging residents and visitors in Florida to exercise caution as alligators become more active across the state. The FWC has launched the GatorWise campaign, a public awareness initiative designed to provide accurate information about alligators and guide people on how to minimize conflicts with these animals. This campaign includes contributions from 11 state wildlife agencies within the range of the American alligator.
Matthew Nichols, the FWC Alligator Management Program Coordinator, highlighted the need for such a campaign due to Florida’s significant population growth. “Florida has seen tremendous population growth in recent years, with many people living or recreating near water,” Nichols stated. He emphasized that since alligators can inhabit nearly any waterbody in Florida, it is prudent to assume their presence at all times. “GatorWise provides consistent, science-based information from across the Southeast to help people safely share the landscape with these important animals.”
With an estimated 1.3 million alligators residing in Florida, they play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance within freshwater wetlands by regulating aquatic animal populations. To reduce potential conflicts with alligators, individuals are advised not to feed or approach them, dispose of fish scraps properly, keep pets away from water edges, supervise small children near water bodies, and maintain a safe distance when spotting an alligator.
For more details on staying safe around alligators and being GatorWise, visit GatorWise.org.
