Today my story centered around a big controversy over an important waterway. The folks at Alligator Bayou are worried their business and all the conservation that goes along with. They think it could be gone forever because of a change in the floodgates in the area. As part of the story, I got a chance to go and see my first alligators.
For someone who has lived near the gulf that may sound strange. But up in Pennsylvania we just don't have gators, except for in the zoo. Instead, alligators are the stuff of legends and eerie news stories where joggers get attacked and possibly eaten. In fact, when I went to move down here, some of my friends actually asked me with great concern to be careful when jogging, especially if I planned to live near any sort of water body.
But today I earned a new respect and awe for the creatures, seeing them up close.....perhaps even closer than I would have liked. One of the owners of Alligator Bayou took me by the hand and led me right up to a full grown gator. After much encouragement, I touched the tail of the animal while the keepers distracted it. I have to admit, I was pretty wimpy about it --- the total time of contact was probably under two seconds. But now, at least I can say I had my own little Steve Irwin moment.
For someone who has lived near the gulf that may sound strange. But up in Pennsylvania we just don't have gators, except for in the zoo. Instead, alligators are the stuff of legends and eerie news stories where joggers get attacked and possibly eaten. In fact, when I went to move down here, some of my friends actually asked me with great concern to be careful when jogging, especially if I planned to live near any sort of water body.
But today I earned a new respect and awe for the creatures, seeing them up close.....perhaps even closer than I would have liked. One of the owners of Alligator Bayou took me by the hand and led me right up to a full grown gator. After much encouragement, I touched the tail of the animal while the keepers distracted it. I have to admit, I was pretty wimpy about it --- the total time of contact was probably under two seconds. But now, at least I can say I had my own little Steve Irwin moment.
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