Better think Again on Alligators

Letters to the Editor
Palm Beach Post
June 1, 2017
By: Drew Martin

‘Nuisance’ gator? Better think again

Your article, “A nuisance gator may be closer than you think” (Monday), indicated the drawbacks of alligators but not their benefits.

Alligators are our defense against invasive species such as pythons, iguanas and monitor lizards. Alligators and crocodiles are the top predators in the Everglades ecosystem. If we remove them, we will open the door to these other invasive species. While alligators may seem threatening, they are far less threatening than pythons. Alligators are much more visible in the environment. Pythons and boa constrictors are harder to see and could be more dangerous in the future. They are also harder to control.

Alligators are not a nuisance; they are a benefit. We have moved into their environment. They were there before us. If we follow simple rules of not feeding them and keeping a close watch near water such as ponds, lakes and canals, we can all be safe. We can enjoy alligators from a safe distance.
If we remove the alligators from our areas we could end up with much more dangerous predators that we cannot see and not control.

DREW MARTIN
LAKE WORTH