Skip to Content

Well-fed alligator leads to partial closure of Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

By Peter Burke

Click here for updates on this story

    PALM BEACH COUNTY, Florida (WPTV) — A portion of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is closed to the public because of a well-fed alligator.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Tuesday that the pond lily pavilion area was closed for the safety of wildlife and the public.

“An alligator has lost its fear of humans due to visitors feeding the animals,” a post on the refuge’s Facebook page said.

“Resist the temptation to feed wildlife,” it went on to say. “When you feed wildlife, the animal begins to recognize that they can receive food from humans. This can cause the animal to begin approaching humans on sight, instead of fleeing.”

According to the Friends of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, it is home to one of the largest populations of alligators in the Florida Everglades.

The reptile is generally euthanized if an alligator becomes reliant on people for food.

“A fed gator is a dead gator,” the refuge’s Facebook post said.

Anyone caught feeding wildlife can face a fine of up to $100,000 and a year in jail.

As recently as 2019, a woman who accidentally stepped on a gator at the refuge was taken to a hospital after it bit her on the leg.

Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Article Topic Follows: CNN - Regional

Jump to comments ↓

CNN Newsource

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

ABC 17 News is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content