Florida Family Calls Authorities When They Discover A Peculiar Animal At Their Front Door
Thanks to Florida's tropical wildlife — which includes armadillos, pelicans, alligators, sea turtles, and wolf spiders — residents get used to living with the unexpected. But when a Tampa family opened their front door early one morning, they weren't ready for their unannounced visitor. More than a little frightened, they called in the authorities, who issued a warning everyone needed to hear.
The Sunshine State
When everything was over, the Tampa family wanted to put some distance between themselves and the bizarre events that made up June 30th, 2020. When newspapers reached out for their story, they asked to remain anonymous.
Greetings, Humans
It was early on a Tuesday, and the family was preparing to head outside. But they couldn't. There was an enormous, two-limbed creature sitting on their front stoop, and he lacked any motivation to move.
A Strange Gator
It was an alligator, which you may have guessed, because Florida. But after recovering from the initial shock, the family only had questions: Why was the 'gator just sprawled out in front of a suburban home in Tampa? And why did it have only two limbs?
The Next Step
First things first, the bewildered Floridians tried to get this beast to leave their property! Given the size of those jaws, they were understandably still feeling a little frantic. So the family made a quick decision.
Warning Passersby
Though the family members did everything in their power to move the gator, he refused to budge. They had no choice but to stay inside and call an animal control service — but first they needed to warn their community.
A Written Warning
The family didn't want their uninvited guest to put anyone's safety, specifically delivery drivers' safety, at risk, so they posted a sign on their garage door saying, "Delivery Stop! Leave Packages here! ALLIGATOR at front door!! (seriously).”
Calling Croc Encounters
The family then called Croc Encounters in Hillsborough County's Croc Encounters, an "educational facility dedicated to rescuing unwanted reptiles," as stated on its Facebook Page. They needed professionals to take care of this scaly situation.
An Emergency Alligator Call
The rescue team was ready. "We had an emergency alligator call this morning for this 8 foot 9 in gator," Croc Encounters — a group run by "nuisance alligator trappers" Karina Sura Paner and John Paner — wrote on Facebook. Ol' two foot would be a little different, though.
Refusing Eviction
"The residents said they found the alligator early this morning and despite their efforts to get him to move he refused to leave. He was not too happy to be evicted from his comfortable, shady spot as he smashed everything in sight upon exiting," Croc Encounters continued.
Feisty Gator
And this moody gator, even with two limbs missing, made sure to let everyone know how feisty he was, using his front left leg and back right leg to waddle around and aggressively knock over welcome signs and outdoor decorations.
Causing a Commotion
As you could imagine, this seemingly lost gator was causing a commotion among curious neighbors, who made sure to keep their distance."This guy was drawing a crowd all morning as everyone was stopping by to see him," Croc Encounters wrote.
Moving the Gator
"We were happy to get him removed before someone got hurt," Croc Encounters' Facebook post continued. The rescue facility posted photos of the removal mission, which involved guiding the giant reptile with rope.
A Brawl in the Wild
But everyone was still so curious as to why the gator was missing two limbs. Croc Encounters employees figured the amputation was a result of a wild gator fight that ended ugly.
Getting Around Just Fine
Since male alligators are known to be very territorial, it's possible this guy got into a "turf war" with another male. They made sure to clarify that this physical impairment "did not stop him from getting around."
Human-Alligator Interaction
Though it seemed odd that the gator got around to a residential area in the first place, the University of Florida IFAS Extension relayed that population growth and the tourism industry (Disney World is the culprit) have led to more human-alligator run-ins in Florida.
Face to Face Scenario
Officials had a dire warning for Floridians: if an alligator charges at you, UF explained people should "run away quickly and in a straight path." And there's one place people need to be especially watchful for gators.
Water Safety
Water safety is important when you live in a state that's famous for its alligator infestation; specifically, always keep your eyes peeled "near fresh or brackish water," said UF officials. And a certain kind of garbage might attract them as well...
Gator Guard
They encouraged Floridians to toss fish remnants into garbage cans, and have fences standing at a minimum of four-and-a-half feet tall surrounding backyards. "Alligators are good climbers — anything lower would not be adequate protection," UF officials explained.
A Happy Ending
Croc Encounters employees were thankfully able to safely capture the alligator who crawled onto the anonymous Tampa family's stoop. "He will now have a new home at our facility," they wrote on Facebook.
A Floridian Invasion
"Remember that in Florida, it is illegal to kill or harass alligators," UF officials voiced. Floridians may not have to worry about gators taking over their neighborhoods anytime soon, but a nearby Florida town has been reeling from an invasion of another creature.
Welcome to Coconut Grove
Coconut Grove is a picturesque neighborhood nestled between mangrove forests and a waterfront state park. The residents welcomed the opportunity to live in harmony with nature — that is, until a swarm of creatures took over.
Peacocks
See, the indigenous Florida foliage is also a favorite of some other inhabitants that have lived in Coconut Grove since it was established back in the 1920s: Peacocks. The famous and very proud birds that call the Grove home are thriving.
At First a Mascot
Peacocks have become like a mascot to the neighborhood because of how many are found in the residential area. “Its beauty and elegance are so fitting with our lush canopy," city commissioner Ken Russell explained.
A Certain Peace
For years, humans and peacocks lived in peace. Natives to Coconut Grove extol the beauty of the peacock, elevating the bird to an almost revered status. Karen Hollihan is one of those individuals, having lived in the Grove for 15 years.
A Few Thoughts
“One of the magical moments in Coconut Grove is to encounter peacocks crossing the narrow streets and crisscross the jungle-like scene of this neighborhood,” she said. It’s waking up in a paradise that’s not easy to find in a world of concrete and street lamps.” Not everyone feels so positively.
Power Shift
In recent years, it seems the power dynamic is shifting. Not in the direction of the humans, but strongly in the direction of the domineering peacocks. The emboldened peacocks are causing complications for everyone.
Neighborhood Squawk
Around 80 peacocks live in the neighborhood, and they've started to take over the area in no small way. Complaints of loud squawking at night, a side effect of the birds mating ritual, are distributing the peace. That's not the worst of it.
On the Roof
The birds have no problem traipsing into the private gardens of homeowners and snacking on any vegetation as needed. Homeowners have been waking up to fully ravaged gardens with nothing but a few peacock feathers to show for it.
Who's the Boss?
The bossy birds leave behind a lot of peacock poop that has become a chronic issue for many residents, as it is beginning to cover sidewalks and driveways. Finally, the birds have taken up an interest in vandalism of personal property, namely vehicles.
End the Fighting
Residents have been finding their cars scratched up by the peacocks! It's believed that the birds see their reflection in the cars and think it's another bird challenging them. So, they handle it accordingly. Homeowner Andrews Candela is looking to end this human/bird turf war.
Unfair
“I don’t want to remain forgotten in a filthy, dirty peacock land as hostage to a group of birds,” he said. “I think that is more than unfair.” Candela and other residents have filed petitions with the city to have the birds relocated. Commissioner Ken Russell took notice.
Anti-Peacockers Emerge
It won't surprise you that this anti-peacock movement created an intense divide among Coconut Gorvers. Many are on board with the idea to relocate the birds, while others are staunchly against the project. Like, Karen Holliham from earlier.
Poop and Flora
"They are part of the Grove. It’s become an icon," she said. "So now some Grovites are bothered because of their poop? Or because some leaves of my flora decor are bitten off?” Unfortunately, commissioner Russell heard the plight of those who felt at war in their own neighborhood.
Damage
“When it came to property damage that’s when I knew we had to take some kind of action here to regulate,” he said. With his interference, the proposition to remove the peacocks was put to a vote and the decision came back unanimous.
Time to Go
The city has officially began the sanctioned trapping and removal of peacocks in Coconut Grove. Their aim was population control to appease the residents, while also protecting the birds. The population got out of control for a relatively small area.
Growing Numbers
"Hundreds can be spotted within a few blocks, and they have been hit by cars,” Russell shared. “The overpopulation has also caused the males to become aggressive as they are competitive for females.” That may help explain the car damage.
A Fowl Future?
Is the future of Coconut Grove streets and sidewalks absent of the colorful, unique and somewhat antagonistic peacocks that have called it home for so long? Well, town officials looked to another city for answers.
To Rancho Palos Verdes
A city in California, Rancho Palos Verdes, experienced a peacock invasion that took a toll on their neighborhood. The city took a similar approach to remove the excess birds and it did the trick, resulting in peace once again between bird and man.
Commissioner Russell's Hopes
Commissioner Russell has the same high hopes for Coconut Grove and its inhabitants, bird and human alike. They remain proud of their unique animal population, as they should, and look forward to peacocks and people coexisting, hopefully without too many hiccups.
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