Dangerous waters

Numerous people alerted the Islander Oct. 8 about a alligator swimming in shallow water at Bean Point in Anna Maria. Law enforcement was notified and located the wayward gator. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was contacted for removal and, in an Oct. 10 email, Tammy Sapp of the FWC told The Islander that on Saturday, Oct. 8, the FWC received calls about the nuisance alligator on the beach at Bean Point, Anna Maria Island, and “a nuisance alligator trapper was dispatched. Upon removing the 7-foot, 9-inch alligator, the contracted trapper realized it was injured and euthanized it.” Sapp said that while the American alligator prefers freshwater lakes and slow-moving rivers and their associated wetlands, they occasionally are seen in brackish water habitats. Alligators can swim in and tolerate saltwater for short period of time, but it is not their preferred habitat.” Islander Photo: Courtesy Karyn Fish