Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What exactly do you do?
A: I volunteer at two different animal facilities in Florida, one is an alligator rescue, the other is an animal sanctuary. I feed, clean, take care of animals, and also perform educational alligator shows for visitors. I am also a licensed nuisance alligator trapping agent. That means I am licensed to respond to nuisance alligator calls, and remove the alligator from the area.
Q: What is a nuisance alligator?
A: A nuisance alligator is an alligator (typically over 4 feet in length) that poses a threat to humans, their pets, or their livestock. By law, a nuisance alligator that exceeds 4 feet either must be destroyed or kept in captivity for life (under 4 feet can be relocated).
Q: Why can't nuisance alligators be relocated in the wild?
A: If the alligator that was removed from one area is released in another area, often times the alligator will return to the place he was removed from. This can create problems for the people, pets, and even other animals along the way. The alligator may also die in the process of trying to return. If the alligator does successfully return, this means it would have to be recaptured and moved again, but this time capture would be more difficult (because now he is aware and on high alert). Even if the alligator were to be moved in an area far away from people, these areas could potentially already have healthy alligator populations, and introducing a new alligator to the area could disrupt the established social structures of the present population. The introduction of a new alligator would likely cause fighting, possibly result in the death of resident alligators or the introduced alligator.
Q: What do I do if I have a nuisance alligator I want removed?
A: If you have a nuisance alligator you must call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline. They will send a trapper who covers that specific area. Unfortunately, you cannot call me directly, or request certain trappers.
Q: Is it okay to feed a wild alligator?
A: It is NEVER okay to feed a wild alligator! Not only is it illegal, it can cause the alligator to associate people with food, making it more likely to approach humans. This can also cause the alligator to become a nuisance alligator, which will usually result in that animal being killed.
Q: How were you able to get involved in this?
A: I have been working and volunteering with animals since I was 15 years old. I have volunteered at multiple nature centers, aquariums, animal hospitals, and animal rehabilitation centers. I have worked with large constrictors, reptiles, small mammals, goats, pigs, cows, kangaroos, birds of prey, lemurs, wolves, and countless other animals. I relocated from New York to South Florida in April 2017, specifically to further my experience and career with exotic animals.
Q: What schooling do you have?
A:I graduated from high school in 2013, and currently am working towards my BS in biology in college.
Q: How can I get a job like you? What advice do you have?
A: Like I mentioned, a lot of my animal experience is volunteer, which means you do not get paid. Although a degree in an animal-related field is useful, experience also plays a huge part when trying to find a job. My advice is to get as much hands on animal experience as possible, even if that means volunteering once or twice a week at a local nature center.
A: I volunteer at two different animal facilities in Florida, one is an alligator rescue, the other is an animal sanctuary. I feed, clean, take care of animals, and also perform educational alligator shows for visitors. I am also a licensed nuisance alligator trapping agent. That means I am licensed to respond to nuisance alligator calls, and remove the alligator from the area.
Q: What is a nuisance alligator?
A: A nuisance alligator is an alligator (typically over 4 feet in length) that poses a threat to humans, their pets, or their livestock. By law, a nuisance alligator that exceeds 4 feet either must be destroyed or kept in captivity for life (under 4 feet can be relocated).
Q: Why can't nuisance alligators be relocated in the wild?
A: If the alligator that was removed from one area is released in another area, often times the alligator will return to the place he was removed from. This can create problems for the people, pets, and even other animals along the way. The alligator may also die in the process of trying to return. If the alligator does successfully return, this means it would have to be recaptured and moved again, but this time capture would be more difficult (because now he is aware and on high alert). Even if the alligator were to be moved in an area far away from people, these areas could potentially already have healthy alligator populations, and introducing a new alligator to the area could disrupt the established social structures of the present population. The introduction of a new alligator would likely cause fighting, possibly result in the death of resident alligators or the introduced alligator.
Q: What do I do if I have a nuisance alligator I want removed?
A: If you have a nuisance alligator you must call the Nuisance Alligator Hotline. They will send a trapper who covers that specific area. Unfortunately, you cannot call me directly, or request certain trappers.
Q: Is it okay to feed a wild alligator?
A: It is NEVER okay to feed a wild alligator! Not only is it illegal, it can cause the alligator to associate people with food, making it more likely to approach humans. This can also cause the alligator to become a nuisance alligator, which will usually result in that animal being killed.
Q: How were you able to get involved in this?
A: I have been working and volunteering with animals since I was 15 years old. I have volunteered at multiple nature centers, aquariums, animal hospitals, and animal rehabilitation centers. I have worked with large constrictors, reptiles, small mammals, goats, pigs, cows, kangaroos, birds of prey, lemurs, wolves, and countless other animals. I relocated from New York to South Florida in April 2017, specifically to further my experience and career with exotic animals.
Q: What schooling do you have?
A:I graduated from high school in 2013, and currently am working towards my BS in biology in college.
Q: How can I get a job like you? What advice do you have?
A: Like I mentioned, a lot of my animal experience is volunteer, which means you do not get paid. Although a degree in an animal-related field is useful, experience also plays a huge part when trying to find a job. My advice is to get as much hands on animal experience as possible, even if that means volunteering once or twice a week at a local nature center.