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About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 26, 2016)
8C THE DAILY ASTORIAN • FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 PARTING SHOT FROM DANNY MILLER A weekly snapshot from The Daily Astorian and Chinook Observer photographers Hundreds of Buoy 10 fishermen get an early start to the day in August on the Columbia River, as seen from the Washington state side. The daily bag limit is two salmon. ODDITY Mind the gators Jekyll Island reminds tourists of its alligator abundance By RUSS BYNUM Associated Press S AVANNAH, Ga. — Known for sea turtles nest- ing on its beaches, wading shorebirds in the surf and white- tailed deer that roam its mari- time forests, Jekyll Island has taken extra steps to make sure visitors realize the state park also is home an abundance of alligators. The Jekyll Island Authority, which manages the island 70 miles south of Savannah, in the last month posted nearly 30 signs at the edge of ponds, alongside ditches and at entrances to its four golf courses. The signs urge visitors to “Be Aware Alligators Are Common in Lakes, Ponds and Ditches” and tell them “Do Not Feed Wildlife,” each printed with a gator graphic. It’s no coincidence the new signage went up not long after an alligator killed a toddler this summer in a lake at Walt Dis- ney World, said Ben Carswell, the island’s conservation man- ager. But he said Jekyll Island staff had already been working on notices to discourage tourists from tossing food to alligators, particularly at a pond next to a picnic area. “We took a hard look at what sort of information we were getting out to people about the presence of alligators on Jekyll Ben Carswell/Jekyll Island Authority via AP A sign warns golfers to ‘Be Aware’ of alligators on Jekyll Island, Georgia. The state park recently placed roughly 30 signs at golf course entrances, ponds and ditches after a toddler was killed by an alligator to make sure visitors know the island is home to an many of the creatures. ‘We don’t want people to be scared about nature and wildlife on Jekyll. But we want them to be aware of it and what these animals and their behaviors are.’ Ben Carswell Jekyll Island’s conservation manager Island,” said Carswell. “We don’t want people to be scared about nature and wildlife on Jekyll. But we want them to be aware of it and what these ani- mals and their behaviors are.” Gatorology 101 Once a remote getaway for wealthy industrialists, Jekyll Island became a state park after the state of Georgia purchased it in 1947. State law requires that two-thirds of the island remain undeveloped, ensuring people share the park with a wide range of wildlife. Researchers conducting pop- ulation surveys have counted anywhere from 67 to 124 alli- gators on Jekyll Island, which covers roughly 9 square miles of uplands and marsh. Tourists often don’t have to look hard to see them. Online videos posted by visitors show gators loung- ing in water next to a bike path, crawling into bushes outside a public building and even stroll- ing along the open beach toward the surf. And Jekyll Island has embraced the carnivorous rep- tiles as a means for teach- ing people how to coexist with wildlife. The Georgia Sea Tur- tle Center on the island offers classes on “Gatorology 101,” teaching tourists not only about alligator conservation but also how to safely observe them. Documented cases of alli- gators injuring people are rare across Georgia. The only known incident on Jekyll Island hap- pened 22 years ago. Hand chomped According to cases compiled by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, a golfer try- SEPTEMBER 3-5, 2016 | Labor Day Weekend Gates open at 9:00 a.m. | Battles 11 a.m. & 3 p.m. Sat & Sun. - Noon Monday | Living history al l day Admission $20 per carload plus $5 day use fee | Bike gate $5 per person ing to fetch balls from a pond on a Jekyll Island golf course got his hand chomped by an alliga- tor in August 1994. The wound required 20 stitches. “You’re more likely to get hit by lighting, or get attack by a dog or stung a bee and have death occur from that, than be attacked by an alligator,” said Greg Waters, a state biologist who specializes in alligators. Jekyll Island’s new alliga- tor awareness efforts come at a time when new hotels, conven- tion space and other amenities are drawing many visitors to the park for the irst time. For the irst half of this year, the Jekyll Island Authority says, vehi- cle trafic increased 25 percent compared to the same period in 2014. Hotel revenues were up 60 percent. With all those tourists come inevitable reports of people toss- ing food to alligators. Carswell said on a busy summer weekend that probably happens at least once or twice, particularly when the island has picnic tables next to a pond. “Sometimes feeding turtles and ish is sort of a gateway to feeding alligators,” Carswell said. Besides the potential dan- ger, there’s another reason not to throw food to alligators: it’s ille- gal. Feeding wild alligators is a misdemeanor in Georgia. Viola- tors can be ined as much as $200 and jailed for up to 30 days. Watch the battles, wander the camps and interact with the reenactors. Demonstrations, food, souvenirs and more. Visit CivilWarOregon.com for more information
