FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Flagler County officials warn against feeding alligators and other wildlife after a social media post showed children feeding a gator at Wadsworth Park.
The county cited the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website and said feeding wildlife can “reduce their fear of humans” which can make them aggressive.
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The FWC also said some cases of feeding wildlife is illegal in Florida. Those species include bears, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, pelicans, alligators, crocodiles, sandhill cranes, and wild monkeys.
A county ordinance prohibits feeding wildlife on public land.
On May 7, a Flagler Beach resident contacted the county after seeing a social media post of children feeding an alligator.
“The real issue is that people feel safe on the boardwalk over the pond, but the majority of the pond is open and accessible to people walking in Wadsworth Park,” General Services Assistant Director Michael Lagasse said. “People are naturally drawn to water features. We don’t want them to approach the pond and end up with an unwelcome, potentially dangerous interaction.”
Flagler County Parks and Recreation staff installed additional alligator warning signs on Wednesday.
Lagasse said he went to Wadsworth Park and the 5-foot gator swam towards him. He said it’s likely responding from “food conditioning” and probably won’t leave the area on its own.
The county cited the National Park Service website, saying food conditioning could make the animals sick or lead to other serious consequences.
Seeing alligators at Wadsworth Park is normal as three visible reviews on Tripadvisor about the park mention the gators.
One review, titled “Ollie the alligator!” said in part, “Saw the alligator! So much fun. He hung out right in front of us going back and forth...”
For public safety reasons, a licensed trapper will remove the alligator in the pond at Wadsworth Park.
“Flagler County residents know that wildlife and wildlands are an important part of our way of life here,” Lagasse said. “Most of us are aware to give wildlife space. When we don’t, animals can become dangerous to humans and a safety concern for the rest of the public.”