North Augustan relieved by removal of backyard alligator
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - A local resident is relieved that an alligator has been removed from her backyard pond.
We spoke to Sally Wertz last week when she was afraid to go outside because of the reptile that had taken up residence in the pond.
But on Tuesday, the 8-foot alligator was removed and euthanized by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
Sally’s world has been turned upside down.
“So it’s just been a big mess. It’s still an inconvenience for me and my neighbors. It’s just been difficult,” said Wertz.
She has been scared to go outside because of an alligator taking over her backyard pond since last Thursday.
“I’m still on pins and needles. I can’t walk out in my backyard. He’s not afraid,” said Wertz.
Wertz had been trying for a few days to get authorities to remove the reptile.
On Tuesday, South Carolina DNR came out to handle the situation.
“So they may be unsafe, they may be aggressive, they may have been fed and habituated to people. But something that’s happened is that the public is unable to coexist with that animal. And so when that happens, unfortunately, we do euthanize those animals, we have nowhere to put them,” said Will Dillman, SCDNR Assistant Chief of Wildlife.
Around the pond on Tuesday, crushed bushes showed where the gator had been in its quest for food.
Wertz said she’s been in the home for decades, and the alligator only recently moved into the pond.
“With this warm weather, we’re seeing alligators move around quite a bit, you know, they’re trying to get places they’re trying to escape the heat, just like we are, you know, we try to stress to people that alligators are a natural part of South Carolina’s environment,” said Dillman.
SCDNR said the alligator was eight and a half feet long, and due to its size, it had to be euthanized. DNR also says if they were to place it a few ponds away, it would make its way back to where they caught it.
“I’m thinking to myself, being an older person that has physical handicaps, I don’t want this thing chasing me,” she told News 12 last week when she was trying to get different agencies to come out and do something about the beast.
“This has been my property or my parents’ property for over 60 years,” she said. “And we’ve never had a gator in the pond.”
Since the alligator is captured now the neighborhood can go back to how it was.
“We can go back to somewhat normal lives. But I’ll still be wary. And I’ll still keep an eye out in case this one managed call up a mate, because you never know,” said Wertz.
WHAT TO KNOW:
- South Carolina DNR says it is really important to them if you do think an alligator around you is a potential threat.
- Experts say the worst and most repeated attacks are usually made by alligators 8 feet or longer.
- Most attacks happen in water, but they can happen on land. A frequent pattern is that the alligator goes after an escaped pet, then when the pet owner follows, the human becomes a target.
- Alligators quickly get accustomed to people, especially when they’re fed by people. These alligators can get aggressive.
- If you’re attacked, try to roll with the alligator because they’ll try to grab and appendage and roll or twist. Hit the alligator’s nose hard and repeatedly. Try to gouge its eyes.
Copyright 2023 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
