Florida is known for its beaches, orange groves, and swamps. The American alligator is a symbol of Florida and is found all over the state. It was designated as the official state reptile in 1987. You can see them in drainage canals and waterways all across Florida. The alligator population in Florida was in trouble because their natural habitat was being destroyed. Hunting and pollution also hurt their numbers. As a result, the alligator population declined. In the 1960s and 70s, the American alligator was in danger of going extinct. Florida and the federal government stepped in to protect them. The alligator was considered endangered, and laws were put in place to prevent their hunting and trade. By the mid-1970s, the population was starting to recover. The laws and protections put in place helped the alligator population to grow again. Today, there are still laws in place to protect alligators and their habitats. There are more alligators in Florida now, and they are moving into areas where people live. This means that people are encountering alligators more often, and sometimes these encounters can be dangerous. Alligators can be up to 14 feet long, have lots of sharp teeth, and can be very strong. On average, there are about 10 unprovoked alligator attacks on people in Florida each year, and around 7% of these attacks are fatal. To protect both the alligators and people, it is illegal to feed them because it can make them lose their fear of people. This fear usually keeps them away from people. If you own or live on a property, you have a duty to warn others about any dangerous conditions, like wild animals. You don’t have to warn people about animals in their natural habitat, but you do have to take reasonable care to make sure your property is safe. If you have wild animals on your property or bring them there, you have to be extra careful. If you know about a specific danger, like a previous attack, you have an even higher duty to warn people. The level of care a property owner owes to others can depend on how dangerous a situation is. For example, having poison ivy might be less risky than having a big alligator on your property. If the owner warns guests about the danger but it’s not enough, the owner could be responsible if someone gets hurt. In Florida, alligators are common, so it’s hard for residents to claim they didn’t know about the risk. But for tourists and visitors, it’s not as easy to know about the danger.
People use different methods to balance human needs with protecting wildlife, like laws and policies. Some people think hunting alligators is never okay, while others want to get rid of them completely. Most people in Florida have a middle ground opinion. In 1988, Florida started allowing alligator hunting again after doing research and finding out that it could help manage the alligator population. The hunting also brings in money for the state and gives people a recreational activity. In 2016, alligator permits sold out and over 6,000 permits were issued. There are different types of permits for hunting alligators in different areas. Those who want to hunt alligators need a trapping license and two CITES tags, but they don’t need a regular Florida hunting license. Alligator hunting permits have many rules to control the number of alligators taken. The hunting season is from August 15 to November 1. Hunting is only allowed at night and in the morning, between 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. Each permit allows for two alligators to be taken without size restrictions, but hatchlings cannot be taken. There are specific methods allowed for hunting alligators, and bang sticks are the only firearm allowed. After harvesting, a CITES tag must be attached to the tail, and a harvest report form must be submitted within 24 hours. All unused CITES tags must be returned to the FWCC Alligator Management Program by November 15.
The American alligator is a symbol of Florida and has rebounded in population after facing extinction. Hunting is important to manage their population and reduce human-alligator interactions. The program has strict rules to ensure alligator populations remain healthy. However, it is controversial and opposed by animal rights advocates. The future of alligator hunting as a population control tool is uncertain. Cordell Hull, a former U.S. Secretary of State, once said something very interesting. Florida had a census in 1940 and 1980. Alligator regulations in the U.S. have changed over time. Alligators are important for studying the environment. There are strict laws about feeding alligators in Florida. There have been cases of alligators biting people in Florida. It’s illegal to feed or lure alligators in Florida. Alligators in Florida are hunted for their meat and skin. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission controls the hunting through rules and regulations. Some people oppose the hunting of alligators and have started a petition to stop it. The hunting season is from August to November, and there are rules about the size and number of alligators that can be hunted. This column is written by the Animal Law Section, with Ralph A. DeMeo as the chair and Deborah C. Brown as the editor. They are part of The Florida Bar and their goal is to promote duty and service to the public, improve how justice is served, and advance the study of law.
Source: https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-journal/alligator-harvesting-hunting-as-a-regulatory-tool-for-species-management/
Leave a Reply