Tag: Alligators

Wally the emotional support alligator is missing, which is the worst news

This is the worst news.

Remember Wally the emotional support alligator? Sure you do! A Philadelphia Phillies fan named Joie Henney tried to bring WallyGator into a game, but wasn’t allowed to do so back in September.

But Wally was allowed into a Flyers game in October and Gritty got to dance with him.

Unfortunately, this update isn’t a happy one. Per the Philadelphia Inquirer, Wally was taken in late April while Henney was in Georgia. Henney alleges that the trapper who stole Wally put him in a swamp with other gators.

Henney has been updating everyone on the WallyGator Facebook page. Here’s the latest as of Wednesday morning:

https://www.facebook.com/wallythegator/posts/pfbid0wjege3KbXidFju1vvXM2548L6wbJSss4jNVuSNAeHdqBAFKgeGtW1J3NXpn2ry3Jl?__cft__[0]=AZWo0w-5qKqx3yA9wU1-EagRxbTYWcX_-AmEhTajb0M4cZxQpE9IkVg8WXZXrd5RFOiNZxA1rbLQP4I9dxNDvFtlC-h5NeXR8HyTsw5XnGJY61YCP5QD12yJBnG0fZSjw43TsSHDzGmeBMLSMSZLicYykJ7z6g-RWwBVjw4Yg4z6bgY6xQv3FF7USIAQL_sYrnYKqLLtPzpG7xITQQszaJj7&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R

https://www.facebook.com/wallythegator/posts/pfbid025Ap3xB1pja5ky76yBPvEfQfgJrF268jpZ4YFu7CEo1FB4gdP6UaZe5Wtdk57bCSNl?ref=embed_post

Awful news. Hoping that Wally is found!

This Florida golf course is known for massive alligators, but that didn’t stop a black belt

Over the years, several people have taken photos of the alligators and posted them on Facebook.


Kurt Tezel has demonstrated karate in very unique places: in front of pyramids in Egypt, on board the USS Intrepid in New York and on a golf course in Cocoa Beach, Florida − in front of a 14-foot alligator about 20 feet away.

Now that’s what some in the martial arts world might call “warrior spirit.”

The sixth-degree black belt, who trains weekly at Ueshiro Merritt Island Karate Dojo on SR 520, was recently playing a round of golf at the Cocoa Beach Country Club last month when he noticed a large alligator hanging out on the bank and another one nearby. In a very so Florida move, he captured the moment on camera. He put his golf club aside and performed a kata (a series of movements in karate).

“You can’t play out there without seeing some alligators,” he said of the golf course. “They chill out on the bank, once in a while you’ll see one walking.”

The video, less than a minute long, shows Tezel in golf wear on the green, demonstrating karate moves in front of a large unassuming alligator, and then ending the kata with a bow. The video then zooms in to show the familiar scaly tail of a large animal. Tezel estimates the gator was up to 14 feet long, and he was about 20 feet away from it. He said there was another alligator nearby, but it’s not easily seen on the video, which was shot by his wife, Tricia Tezel.

Kurt Tezel, president of Supra Color Enterprises Inc. and longtime resident of Brevard, first Merritt Island, then Cocoa Beach, has trained in karate for more than 20 years and holds the rank of Sensei. Had one of the alligators stirred or showed any kind of movement as he did his kata, his instincts as a Floridian would have kicked in: “Run zigzag, run serpentine.” He also was mindful of his wife’s reaction as she filmed the alligator-karate scene.

The Cocoa Beach Country Club is transparent about the possibility of seeing alligators there − so says a notice on the city of Cocoa Beach’s website online: “Wildlife: The waterfowl, other birds, the dolphins, alligators, turtles and raccoons make the Cocoa Beach Country Club a true habitat and wildlife sanctuary for the enjoyment of all golfers. Course features include putting greens, a driving range and a ’19th hole’ where you can get a bite to eat, a beverage of your choice and reminisce over the great golf shots you just made! The CBCC also features banquet facilities at reasonable prices to host those special gatherings and celebrations.”

Over the years, several people have taken photos of the alligators at the Cocoa Beach Country Club and posted them on Facebook. Scroll to see social media photos, some possibly featuring the same 14-foot alligator, from the Cocoa Beach Country Club golf course.

Safety tips: What to do if you see an alligator?

Though Florida residents have learned to coexist with alligators, the potential for conflict always exists, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The wildlife commission recommends people avoid feeding alligators and to keep your distance if you see one. “Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours. And keep pets on a leash and away from the water,” FWC’s site states.

Serious injuries caused by alligators are rare here, but if you are concerned about a gator, call the nuisance alligator hotline at 866-392-4286 or visit myfwc.com.

Alligator sightings at Cocoa Beach Country Club golf course in Florida
Over the years, there have been sightings of alligators large and small at the Cocoa Beach Country Club. Signs warn about critters on the golf course, saying: “Caution. Beware of alligators, snakes.”

https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.c.ryan.90/posts/10219330830774275?ref=embed_post

https://www.facebook.com/tim.tippins.9/posts/10166433464420713?ref=embed_post

 

https://www.facebook.com/kevin.thiem/posts/3782068035147379?ref=embed_post

https://www.facebook.com/goldbergbeach/posts/10217233968946200?ref=embed_post

 

Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. She is a third-degree black belt in Ueshiro Shorin-Ryu Karate USA and trains in Melbourne, Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang.

Footage shows large Florida gator trying ‘to climb up a house’

A home security camera has captured nighttime footage showing an alligator attempting to climb the outside wall of a Florida residence.

A security camera on Monday captured nighttime footage showing a large alligator attempting to climb the outside wall of a Florida residence.

Matt Devitt, chief meteorologist at WINK News, stated via X that the attempted break-in by the ‘huge Florida gator’ occurred in Babcock Ranch.

“That’s a new one!” Devitt observed.

 

The footage was credited to a WINK viewer named Kayla.

Devitt receives plenty of gator footage from viewers.

A haunting image he showcased last February showed a massive alligator sprawled on a golf course, gazing toward the photographer in what Devitt described as a “Jurassic’ moment.

In March Devitt shared footage of a large alligator tearing through a metal fence to with astonishing ease, although it was later revealed that the fencing was aluminum.

“Only in Florida,” Devitt wrote.

It’s not surprising that alligators occasionally generate headlines in Florida.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) states on its website that about 1.3 million alligators reside in the state, and that they inhabit all 67 counties.

–Generic alligator image is courtesy if the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Deputy responds to alligator call, reaction goes viral

A Florida sheriff’s deputy has gained notoriety because of his comical reaction during a close alligator encounter at a neighborhood pool.

A Florida sheriff’s deputy has gained notoriety because of his comical reaction during a close alligator encounter at a neighborhood pool.

“When working as a Deputy Sheriff for the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office there is never a dull moment!” the agency exclaimed Tuesday on Facebook. “Just ask Deputy Robert Santiago who earlier today responded to a call where an 8-foot alligator decided to try out the neighbor’s swimming pool!”

Santiago is standing next to Scott Swartley, a trapper contracted by the Sheriff’s Office to handle the tricky aspects of removing the angry reptile.

RELATED: Florida gator tears through metal fence with alarming ease; video

“I would love to know exactly what Deputy Santiago was thinking but I’m pretty sure it was…”Oh hell no I didn’t sign up for this!” the Sheriff’s Office continued.

More than 500 people responded to a request for captions. A sampling:

–“That’s what they call a rough day at work! We don’t appreciate our law enforcement officers enough. They never know what they’re going to face.”

–“They never showed me this in the academy.”

–“Bad gator, bad gator……whatcha gonna do? Brevard County Sheriffs are coming for you!”

–“I’m going to need to go home and change my uniform!”

–“If I stand perfectly still, he will think I’m a tree and leave me alone.”

–“He looks like he saw a box of Krispy Creme doughnuts on the guy’s patio table.”

Florida is home to 1.3 million alligators, which can be found in all 67 counties. Like many critters, they increase activity during spring.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the longest alligator recorded in Florida was a male from Lake Washington in Brevard County, measuring 14 feet, 3-1/2 inches.

The heaviest was a 1,043-pound male captured at Orange Lake in Alachua County.

Massive gator spotted on Florida golf course, a ‘Jurassic’ moment

An image showing a giant alligator sprawled on a Florida golf course, gazing ominously toward the photographer, is generating a buzz on social media.

An image showing a giant alligator sprawled on a Florida golf course, gazing ominously toward the photographer, is generating a buzz on social media.

According to WINK Chief Meteorologist Matt Devitt, the image was captured by Rich Louty at a Sebring golf course.

“Welcome to Florida, home to Jurassic Park,” Devitt wrote on Facebook.

The size of the alligator is unclear but for those who might wonder: The longest alligator recorded in Florida measured 14 feet, 3-1/2 inches; the weight record (involving a different gator) is 1,043 pounds.

Adult alligators prey largely on fish, snakes, small mammals, turtles, and birds, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Golfers, thankfully, aren’t on their menu.

ALSO: Texas angler lands eighth largest bass in state history; video

Devitt’s post generated 2,000 comments from residents and outsiders who were impressed by the colossal size of the reptile in the image.

“I have lived in Florida all my life. That is the biggest one I have seen,” one person wrote.

A non-resident chimed in: “I love sunny Florida, but these guys keep me from living there.”

Another top comment: “We have lived in Florida since ’89. The biggest I have ever seen was laying across a canal near a boat ramp in Debary about 20 years ago. He was a bit bigger than this one. We just turned the boat around and went the other way.”

To be sure, a gator of this size lends new meaning to the term “water hazard,” or in this case a fairway hazard to be avoided at all costs.

Reads another comment: “Well that will certainly SLOW DOWN your game.”

Florida woman dies after falling into golf course pond and grabbed by alligators

An elderly woman died late Friday after falling into a pond and being grabbed by alligators.

ENGLEWOOD, Fla. — An elderly woman died late Friday after falling into a pond and being grabbed by two alligators, Sarasota, Florida, sheriff’s officials said.

The incident occurred at a pond at the Boca Royale Golf and Country Club in Englewood, south of Sarasota. The woman, who was not identified and whose age was not released, was observed falling into a pond along the golf course near her home and struggling to stay afloat, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

“While in the water, two alligators were observed near the victim and ultimately grabbed her while in the water,” a news release said.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to capture and remove the alligators from the pond, officials said. No cause of death had been determined.

No further details were released late Friday. Authorities said the investigation was in the early stages.

The Boca Royale Golf and Country Club is a gated community in South Sarasota County of about 1,000 acres and includes homes, lakes, golf and nature preserves, according to its website.

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Watch: Gators are making the rounds at Sanderson Farms Championship

With the return of the Sanderson Farms Championship comes … the return of roaming alligators at the event.

With the return of the Sanderson Farms Championship to The Country Club of Jackson comes … the return of roaming alligators along The Country Club of Jackson at the Sanderson Farms Championship.

A live alligator was spotted on the sixth hole at The Jackson Country Club on Friday afternoon. The club’s PGA professional Jason Prendergrast said Fuzzy was the name given for the only alligator he had encountered on the course before in 2020. Prendergrast has been with The Country Club since 2004 and came across his first alligator in two years. As of 2020, about 10-known alligators occupy bodies of water at the course.

With the animals on the course, The Country Club’s junior program began with two names: “Crocs,” for ages 3-9 and “Gators” for ages 10-and-up.

Last year, an alligator snacking on a turtle made the rounds during the event.

An alligator is seen eating a turtle on the sixth hole during the second round of the 2020 Sanderson Farms Championship at the Country Club of Jackson on October 02, 2020, in Jackson, Mississippi. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Sanderson Farms Championship: Winners and losers from Day 1 in Mississippi

Round two of this year’s Sanderson Farms Championship continues through Friday evening. Will Zalatoris was the leader after the early wave of players.

Contact Rashad Milligan at 601-862-6198 or Jmilligan@gannett.com. Follow @RashadMilligan on Twitter.

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See the giant gators walking all over the Zurich Classic course in New Orleans

We got gators on the golf course!

The alligators are out at the Zurich Classic in New Orleans! The Zurich Classic is in the midst of its annual golf tournament — as part of the PGA Tour — and the gator sightings were out in full force on Friday and over the weekend.

Gators aren’t an unusual sight at golf courses on the south coast, as there have been numerous sightings of these four-legged fellows over the years — from big ones to territorial ones.

The ones that appeared at the Zurich Classic over the weekend have officially added to the list of gator sightings at golf courses. A delight to us all watching from the comfort of our own homes!

While this one isn’t as monstrous as some in the past, I do appreciate the lengths the golf course workers went to shoo this one off the fairway. The brooms are a great choice.

Another day at the Zurich Classic, another handful of gator sightings to tide us over until the next.

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Watch: Florida golfer refuses to abandon golf ball sitting on a gator

One man playing Coral Oaks Golf Course in Cape Coral, Florida, decided to reclaim his golf ball despite the presence of a gator.

It’s something of an unwritten rule in golf that when your golf ball lands near – let alone on top of – a large alligator, you abandon the golf ball. One man playing Coral Oaks Golf Course in Cape Coral, Florida, over the weekend decided to reclaim his golf ball anyway.

Kyle Downes captured footage of his brother tempting fate by creeping up behind a gator laying on the bank of a pond and snatching the ball from its resting spot on top of the gator’s tail.

“He’s gonna whip you with that tail, dude,” Downes can be heard saying in the video, posted on South Florida’s NBC2 affiliate site.

Immediately after the player snagged his golf ball, the gator shot into the water, clearly giving both men a jolt.

It begs the question, how much is a golf ball worth?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzHkRgmTpDI&feature=youtu.be

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