This Is our Village

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Lake

There really should be some signs posted along the lake warning of potential aligators. We are right on the lake and occasionally see small children unsupervized walking on the edge and splashing the water. This is very scary to watch. When we are able, we give them a warning to stay away from the edge. This is a tragedy waiting to happen.

6 comments:

  1. Dig up the code Dave, there is probably some insurance thing about gator signs. The Clubhouse already has alligator signs. On the plus side our gators are shy and are removed periodically. Change the lake name to Alligator Bayou

    Would these small unsupervised children read or pay attention to signs. Of course not, the multitudes of other signs in the village are also ignored. How many miles of water front are there? What do you think, about 100 signs, placed and paid for by waterfront associations.

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  2. I think there should be signs, not necessarily in the hundreds but enough, by the lakes and canals. No one can predict how big an alligator will be that shows up or what its temperament will be. The signs will be read by adults and children able to read, who will take due notice and warn their friends. I know the Village overflows with too many signs, but as Cathy points out, to have a child (or anyone) taken by an alligator would be tragic. This Village would be in mourning after such an occurrence, not to mention criticized severely for not having any signs, and it's a certainty the signs would go up afterward.

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  3. Lanny and Elaine,

    You are so right in the need to be highly proactive in this matter.

    We never want to have to debate the cost of what could have been done because we are dealing with the immeasurable cost of harm to a human being...and what if that means harm to a child who should have been protected by adults?

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  4. Hi Lanny, what about the sailing club???

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  5. Hi Barbara. Just last Friday three of us visited Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge on 441 in Boynton Beach, where there are many alligators--and canoeing. They have signs to warn you about alligators, but that's about it--canoeing, kayaking, etc., still go on. The same is true at Riverbend Park, off of Indiantown Road in Jupiter Farms: nice walking trails, canoeing on the Loxahatchee River, and signs to warn everyone--those on foot and those in river craft--to be careful of alligators.

    Anyone sailing should just be very careful, I would say, and all the more reason for some signs.

    An alligator must come up to breathe, so scan the water looking for their tell-tale nostrils just above the water line. Keep away if you spot one, and remember, they can travel underwater at a pretty good clip. Chances are if you leave them alone, they won't bother you, but don't count on it. Once in the Everglades, I saw an alligator, from seeming utter somnolence (it is after 12:00, Mr. Cruise, so I can use this big word!) leap forward up and out of the water after something. I couldn't see what he was after, but it was sudden and VERY fast.

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  6. Here's the unspoken rule: If there is water with a food source (turtles,ducks, fish, etc)in Florida, at some point an alligator WILL move in. They are preditors in the truest sense with a prehistoric brain the size of a walnut. Alligators live to eat and procreate, have very good eyesight underwater and can stay submerged for several hours at a time. They have no inherent fear of anything and are more than capable of pulling in prey much larger than themselves.

    They will claim certain areas but will often move when food runs out.

    If you spot an alligator stay away from the banks and certainly don't allow children or small pets near the water. Anything over 5' in length consider a threat.

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