From the Susquehannock Wildlife Society:
A five-foot long, 50-pound American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) found dead in Harford County on Friday is believed to have been an exotic pet, released into the wild when its owner could no longer care for the growing reptile.
Not only did the alligator pose a threat to animals already living in the area, as it was free to consume native wildlife without fear of any natural predators, but it may also have damaged the local ecosystem itself by introducing exotic and potentially harmful diseases into the environment.
Beyond that, the alligator likely died painfully and in distress as it struggled to survive in a habitat to which it was unsuited and never meant to live. The best prognosis is that the large reptile died sometime over the winter or very shortly after emerging from the ice.
The dead alligator was discovered by a member of the Susquehannock Wildlife Society who was conducting research on wildlife in the area. The carcass was promptly removed and disposed of to prevent further contamination of the local ecosystem. In Maryland, it is against the law to own an alligator or any other crocodilian and illegal to release a pet of any kind into the wild.
Harford County and many other jurisdictions in Maryland, across the country, and around the world are already dealing with a number of deadly diseases plaguing local wildlife – particularly reptiles and amphibians. Diseases such as Ranavirus are easily transmitted when animals come in contact with one another, especially during stressful situations, and can spread quickly through a population – often wiping out an entire site.
The alligator is believed to be the lone member of its species inhabiting the site, which is owned by the Harford Land Trust, a local nonprofit that works to conserve land and protect the natural resources, scenic beauty, and rural character of Harford County. The specific location is being withheld to prevent disturbance of the ongoing wildlife research being conducted on the site.
The Susquehannock Wildlife Society urges owners of all pets (domestic and exotic) to keep their animals from coming in contact with native wildlife and the local ecosystem. There are numerous groups that specialize in finding homes for unwanted pets of all shapes, sizes, and species.
For more information about this or other local wildlife issues, contact the Susquehannock Wildlife Society at 443-333-WILD (-9453) or visit our web site at http://www.suskywildlife.org.
This is not the first alligator found in Harford County…..Anaimal Control picked up 2 in the last 8 months and turned over to rehab to be transported to a sanctuary.
That should be Animal*
I remember the one you caught in the pond last summer.
I wonder why they were picked up? It’s because they cannot survive in the north, regardless of air temperature the water is too cold and they stop eating.
In an article about a dangerous predator found out of its element, we hear about possible damage to the native ecosystem and the painful death of said predator. Not a word about the possible harm to human life. Readers are warned not to release their alligators into the wild because they might eat rabbits that happily hop around. Is there any concern for a child that might be hiking through the woods? Have our priorities become so messed up that human welfare is no longer considered?
It looks like there have only been a dozen human fatalities attributed to alligator attacks in the United States since 1997, and all but one (Georgia) occurred in Florida.
So, no, you will never ever have to worry about being eaten by an alligator while taking a walk in Harford County.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fatal_alligator_attacks_in_the_United_States_by_decade
You will if they are released into the Harford wilderness! In Florida people are aware of the danger and learn how to avoid. Not so much here. But that wasn’t my point as I’m sure you know. http://www.marshbunny.com/stjohns/wildlife/gatorattack.html
There are about 1.3 million alligators and 20 million people living in Florida.
There was 1 alligator and about 250,000 people living in Harford County.
Florida = 0.065 gators for every person
Harford = 0.000004 gators for every person
Or, looking at it another way, 1.3 million alligators are able to kill about 0.5 people per year in Florida.
It’s much more likely you’ll perish from some other hazard on your hike (Salmonella? Lightning strike?) before the gators get you.
Interesting facts of which I am aware. However, if you are the unsuspecting hiker happening upon a confused and hungry alligator that may also be suffering from PTSD because it was ripped from its cozy natural environment, then for you, the kill rate is 100%. But again, that was not the original point that I was making. By the way, Happy Earth Day!
You have a better chance being injured by a vending machine than an alligator!
Alligator PTSD!
Classic! Let the infomercials start immediately to hire Alligator Counselors to rid the reptile community of this dangerous disease.
I spent a good part of my life in south Florida swimming in canals and lakes. Alligators were looking for small prey, which is why people’s pets were attacked and not humans. We were more worried about being bitten by a water moccasin (snake) than we were about gators.
I would think the best course of action would be to not own an alligator in the first place.
You have a better chance of being injured by a Slurpee machine than an alligator.
Well if you didn’t strain your neck to get your head under the nozzle, you wouldn’t have that problem…
Vseitz, you are kidding with your concern right? If you were to let a 2 year hike thru the woods alone in Florida than maybe, just maybe a 5ft gator might be a concern, my guess is a 5ft gator would run before attacking since gators that size are looking for fish, turtles, frogs and other small prey. Maybe you should have some concerns with the Frankenfish walking on land and dragging a child into the water.
I am completely genuine in my remarks. You have reassured me somewhat as I suspect you are a reptile expert and have studied them extensively. I expect I will lose very little sleep over the developing alligator problem in rural Harford County. However, I have no doubt that a healthy, motivated alligator would have no problem taking on a small child or pet given the right situation. But once again, my main point is missed entirely and I’m wondering if a reading comprehension course might be in order for The Dagger regulars. I will not be offering anymore clues as this topic, amusing and important as it is, has taken up too much of my time. I have far less important things to attend to.
You got me Genius. I have one question, do you drive a minivan with stick figures and my kid is a honor student stickers with a bunch of “Again, Again, Again” , my guess is yes.
LOL
SAVE THE ANIMALS!
EFF THE HUMANS!
I believe the repetitive “again” comments are what you hear from Ma Lamarr’s bedroom when vseitz is paying a…uh…”friendly” visit.
That is, of course, after Hedley puts on his apron and heads to work for the night.
I agree with Vseitz. I spend a lot of time in the outdoors and am very familiar with wild animals. The statistics don’t matter. If my 7 year old walks to the edge of the pond where that hungry and desperate animal is, she may well get bitten. 100% of animals with teeth can bite.
Don’t you think Its kind of implied that we are concerned for children lol? I mean come on the consequence of Alligators would not be dead kids it would be an imbalanced environment. But don’t you worry as long as your kids have those goofy knee pads and training wheels that I’m sure you’ve purchased to an excess they will be fine.
It also probably belonged to a drug dealer. You wouldn’t believe how common that is becoming, exotic animals are the new guard dog. Maybe you shouldn’t be scared of the alligators but the dope being brought into Harford county.
After studying Biology and working in an aquaroum, I can tell you that alligators are not a huge threat to humans. Yes, they are dangerous. However, many alligators are more afraid of humans than humans are of them. Alligators will usually hiss and only attack if provoked. Humans are a much bigger threat to alligators than alligators are to humans. Crocodiles though, those are the vicious ones! Crocodiles are way note aggressive than alligators.
Tastes like chicken……….
the alligator dialogue has been interesting..Exotics should never be released in foreign habitat.This animal had several years development and may have escaped unintentionally…
Gooter, don’t get mad, I have a surprise for you under my apron, open your mouth wide and say Ahh.
Hedley,
You are a smart ass to anyone who disagrees with you. Why don’t you find some other site to haunt. Your posts lower the IQ about 50 points a post.
And monster, you can bend over and I have a surprise for you.
Monster, make up your mind, first I’m a smart ass than you say my post lowers the IQ 50 points a post, you my friend are a STUPID ASS.
Hedley
My mind is clear about you. Being a smart ass doesn’t make you intelligent. It means that you are a rude sb who glibly throws out remarks. You are the dumb ass.
“the alligator likely died painfully and in distress as it struggled to survive…”
Thank goodness we have a team of scientists in the Susquehannock Wildlife Society who happened to stumble upon the carcass and give us their objective analysis. It makes sense, of course. Had the creature died peacefully in his sleep, he would have a smile on his face.
Actually, while American Alligators would find it difficult to reproduce as far north as Virginia and Maryland, they could live quite well here.
From Wikipedia:
American alligators are less vulnerable to cold than American crocodiles. Unlike a crocodile, which would instantly succumb to the cold and drown in water of 45 °F (7.2 °C), an alligator can survive in such temperatures for some time without any signs of discomfort.[33] This adaptiveness is thought to be the reason why American alligators are widespread further north than the American crocodile.[33] In fact, the American alligator is found farther from the equator and is more equipped to deal with cooler conditions than any other crocodilian.[34] When the water begins to freeze, alligators stick their snouts though the surface which allows them to breathe above the ice.[30]
Who put the stick in the mouth even the dead are taken advantaged of. O not the same reaction if the mouth is closed
The only people I know in Florida who have been injured by an alligator had acted in an aggressive manner toward the alligator. I know of an instance where a man was walking his small dog and the alligator snatched the dog, He had the dog in his mouth and the man attempted to wrestle the dog out of its’ mouth. He saved the dog but the alligator really did some damage to his arm. Not too smart.
OH and BTW, the man was an attorney….just sayin’
So since he was an attorney he immediately sued Florida and reaped millions… I suspect the alligator spit him out since he left such a foul taste in it’s mouth.
Location not being revealed because there is a thriving population in the upper Bay. One must only look for a power plants warm water discharge.
A dirty little secret. There are gators in the bay. The ranger has it right. A few spots that have very warm water 24/7 365 days a year. Gators have been in these areas for as long as I can remember. Cant get close to many of the places anymore due to September 11th, and do not suggest attempting to do so.