The lakes are connected to other waterways. Unless you put chain link fences in these water ways, you cannot keep the gators out. So yes, it is natural habitat.

 

Chain link fences in the water ways are not going to stop gators going from lake to lake, either. I live on a spring fed lake with no connections to other tributaries. We get gators in the lake all of the time.

Lots to unpack here after wading through 9 pages …

 

Was the child actually in the water when this happened?

 

An ecological/environmental primer:

 

Wildlife flock to water, man-made or natural, and that goes for anywhere, but especially in Fla. Birds, fish, turtles, etc. Soon after those arrive, apex predators such as the incredibly common alligator follow, in Florida. You can't keep them out, unless you are also keeping their smorgasbord out as well. It's just not going to happen, and people should be aware of that.

 

By the same token, a "no swimming" sign is at best a very soft warning. If there are apex predators around, people need to be warned. Not doing so will cost Disney a bundle.

 

If it has been found that that the child was not in the water when this occurred, it will cost Disney an astronomical amount more.

Haha reminds me of playing in the dryer as a kid.

 

Playing in the dryer?? That explains a lot......

If one Gator had ever been spotted then it's Disney's responsibility to be transparent to their dollar spending guests. It's irresponsible for them to put any of their guests in danger if they know Gators may be present and don't post signs advising.

The biggest reason gators are in this Disney lake is because there is food there. Tourists tend to feed the gators. Gators are not dumb. They'll congregate where food is easy to get. When being fed by humans, they are no longer afraid of humans, and when humans show up without food, they get aggressive and take what they see.

 

It's also mating season. Gators are hungrier during this time and attacks are more apt to happen.

 

FYI, if down here near a lake, a gator sounds a lot like a bull frog, but not exactly. If you heard something that sounds like a bull frog, but deeper and just not right, it's probably a gator. Head away from the sound.

Did I read somewhere that Disney hosted an outside movie at this location right before the gator attack?

Did I read somewhere that Disney hosted an outside movie at this location right before the gator attack?

 

Yes, , I believe that is true.

I find it amazing only 25 or so deaths by Gator attack since the 40s. I heard a small child is more susceptible as they look more like small prey. I pray for the family and anyone else who witnessed, just a terrible scenario for all.

Chain link fences in the water ways are not going to stop gators going from lake to lake, either. I live on a spring fed lake with no connections to other tributaries. We get gators in the lake all of the time.

 

Oh I know. Like a few have already said, you can't keep gators out of water in Florida. I'm glad you chimed in with your Floridian expertise. :thumb:

So several years ago we stayed at the Polynesian resort, with a beach with lawn chairs and hammocks on that same lake. Signs said "No Swimming". The kids were really little. We did not swim in the lake---did not need to, as there was a pool nearby to swim in. But my kids built a big sandcastle with that beautiful beach sand on that man made beach. And they were filling up their little sand pails with water from the "No Swimming" lake. I remember it like it was yesterday. Never crossed my mind that a gator could grab my kid. Were they swimming? No. Just going up to the waters edge and filling their little buckets.

 

Disney is liable for this tragedy.

Whole thing is just sickening. Disney will be writing a large check for it but it won't bring this kid back.

Whole thing is just sickening. Disney will be writing a large check for it but it won't bring this kid back.

 

 

So true, John.

I find it amazing only 25 or so deaths by Gator attack since the 40s. I heard a small child is more susceptible as they look more like small prey. I pray for the family and anyone else who witnessed, just a terrible scenario for all.

 

I think if you investigate deeper, you'll find that several of those deaths were "professional" gator wrestlers, too.

 

The media is going to make it seem like it, but attacks on humans are not all that prevalent. Cats and small pet dogs fall prey to gators quite a bit, though.

 

I've had a few encounters with alligators, in my 34 years here, and in most cases, they run away.

I do believe alligator attacks are relatively rare. This poor child was just in the wrong place at just the wrong time. Just terrible.

 

I think hippopotamuses kill about three thousand people a year.

From what I have read, the signs only said no swimming.

 

Haven't read past your post. If that's the case, I'd bet that changes moving forward.