Whats a nuisance gator?
A nuisance alligator is one that is at least 4 feet long, approaches people and exhibits aggressive behavior. Cooper warned that feeding an alligator is punishable by a fine of as much as $500.”Typically, they’re afraid of you,” Cooper said, “but when you walk toward the water and it comes straight to you, it’s probably looking for a meal.”In 2009, wildlife officials received 544 calls about nuisance alligators from Harris and surrounding counties. About 80 of them were trapped and relocated, while the remainder were killed or left alone. Cooper said moving the animal from its habitat sometimes poses more problems. “It happens every year,” he said. “The main thing is, especially for these people who are on the gator’s territory, to be a little patient. Keep your pets away.
