Posted on 06/15/2016 1:26:22 PM PDT by barmag25
Boy’s body found after gator attack at Florida Disney resort
ORLANDO, Fla., June 15 (Reuters) - Police using boats, divers and a helicopter on Wednesday
recovered the body of a 2-year-old boy who was grabbed by an alligator in front of his family
during a vacation at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, officials said.
The child was snatched by the alligator as he played at the water’s edge on Tuesday night and
dragged into a lagoon despite his parents’ effort to save him.
Officials told a news conference the boy’s body had been found and was intact.
While your points are well taken, the Seven Seas Lagoon at the Grand Floridian Resort is no reasonable person’s idea of “wilderness water.” Many (not you) are casting nasty aspersions on these parents that are frankly repugnant. I guess it’s a human reaction, to think “we” would somehow always be able to avoid tragedies that befall “other people.”
I’m sure it’s no solace to the parents right now, but recovering the child’s body intact for a proper burial might help with emotional healing at some point. It’s not as horrifying as it could have been, bad as it already is.
This was truly a horrific unanticipated tragedy.
My heart aches for these parents. How do they live with the feelings they must have?
That is awful.
Those “no swimming” signs aren’t posted at every resort on that lake, just the ones where the water is shallow and turbid (i.e. it’s not a wildlife warning). I was at one of the others a couple of months ago. They advertise water skiing, wakeboarding etc at the resort where I was, which is on the same body of water. Plus, every one of those resorts has a nice sandy beach on the water.
I also read somewhere else today that in the time since the kid was pulled in, Disney staff has bagged 5 gators in that lake. Disney’s going to take a hit on this one. And I’d bet that the beaches and watersports get replaced by expanded (and fenced-in) pools in fairly short order.
I too am glad there is closure and remains to bury. I pray for the grieving family.
I wonder how many signs there were that said not to go in the water? Terrible tragedy. Now this is a true tragedy.
[[Good. Lets hope the gators are all removed, and killed from the lagoon.]]
They remove any gators that are large enough to cause problems from there all the time . The problem is that at this time of years gators move locations . That gator could have moved into that lagoon that morning .
Never let small children or pets play at the waters edge , especially in the evening .
It was that way back in the 70’s also. 45 years of coddling the poor endangered alligator has created man eaters in prolific numbers that have no fear of man.
Time to start hunting them to the point of extinction and keep their population in fearful hiding.
It sure is. I’m just glad his body was intact. I think I would be a basket case knowing that a gator ate my child. It would be like there was no closure whatsoever. May this little child rest in peace.
According to the article, both parents went into the water and tried to pry open the jaws of the alligator, the alligator then swam into deeper water, taking the child with him.
“Well and you may have had a beer or two to help with your courage....”
Nope. It was how we cooled off on hot summer nights out fishing.
https://www.reference.com/pets-animals/food-chain-american-alligator-2b07526ac7c4da5d
Fish and turtles are the most important prey for most alligators, but they are not fussy eaters.
Other common prey species include snakes, frogs, toads, salamanders, birds, lizards, beavers, raccoons,
nutria, rats, crustaceans, mollusks, insects and smaller alligators. Young alligators feed on smaller prey,
including insects, frogs and fish. Alligators of all ages adapt to local food sources, but they are strictly
carnivorous and do not eat vegetation.
Wading birds, snakes, large fish, turtles, raccoons, foxes and larger alligators hunt young alligators. As
they grow, young alligators add more and larger prey to their list of acceptable food. Concurrently,
alligators fear fewer predators as they grow.
Alligators are an important part of freshwater ecosystems as they help to maintain balance among the
populations of small animals. Additionally, turtles and some other animals deposit their eggs in
alligator nests.
Feeling very sad for the parents and family. Prayers will be said. I’ve read that the father fight with the gator. I can’t imagine the rage and frustration when he knew the gator had won.
I don’t really blame the family at all. They’re from Nebraska. I wouldn’t expect gators to be on their mind, especially during a stay at Disney World..even with signs. I’m sure some will argue that point.
I didn’t see the explanation but yes, I am guessing Disney will settle for a large amount and very quickly. The no swimming sign is not enough warning. Disney sponsored an event on a beach, after dark next to a body of water known to be the habitat of alligators. It’s pretty irrelevant weather the boy was in the water or at the edge of the water. He was accessible pray for the alligator either way. Furthermore a British family reported being chased by a large alligator 2 weeks earlier on a nearby beach and they were not in the water. In addition it is said that they notified Disney after their close call. The last thing Disney wants is for this to stay in the press. It will be settled very quickly and things will significantly change along the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon.
Agreed.
Small mammals— raccoons , squirrels, (dogs and cats
People do not leave animals out )
Since 1942? There have only been 26 human deaths by alligators.
Wow—interesting.
Imho, they have two options. Either fill in the lagoon, or make it inaccessible to the alligators.
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