Florida seeks 'crocodile response agents'

upi ^ | June 11, 2012

[JoeProBono]

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is posting job openings for "crocodile response agents" in the Florida Keys.

The commission said it will train the agents to investigate complaints about American crocodiles, finding alternatives to relocating the threatened crocodiles and taking care of the occasional carcass recovery, the Florida Keys Keynoter reported Monday.

The posting says it prefers applicants with experience handling crocs, but officials said it is not required.

"Since few people have extensive experience with alligators or crocodiles, that's not a prerequisite," said Lindsey Hord, the commission biologist in charge of South Florida's nuisance alligators and crocodiles. "We can train them. If somebody with a lot of experience comes in, that would be a plus."

Hord said the agents would be paid $25 per hour and would work on an as-needed basis.

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

[Doogle]

applicants with experience handling crocs, but officials said it is not required. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxD2z8Jlyu4

[Doogle]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxD2z8Jlyu4

[freedumb2003]

"Since few people have extensive experience with alligators or crocodiles, that's not a prerequisite,"

I think ol' Lefty might want to sign up...

[Vaquero]

CHOOT ‘EM ELIZABETH!!!!

[Doogle]

splashing water at it will work......I’ve seen ducks do it...once

[JoeProBono]

[JoeProBono]

[Liberty Valance]

[JoeProBono]

[Awgie]

http://wtvr.com/2012/06/03/resident-captures-pics-of-alligator-hunting-bobcat/

Interesting confrontation between a bobcat and alligator near Tampa recently.

[JoeProBono]

[blueunicorn6]

Do they supply the ammunition?

[Boogieman]

Can we keep what we kill?

[JoeProBono]

[Arlis]

Hmmmm......perhaps I should apply......first gator-handling experience was in 1965.....full grown, 6' +, 200 lbs., in a northern mid-west state.....major US newspapers labeled my bud & I "Gator-Nappers" - and as the gator (after visiting multiple sites and traveling in the trunk of my '51 Ford, we being chased away at gunpoint twice...) found its way down a creek from the pond in the woods where we left her into the states largest resort lake.

Lake residents first thought they were delusional or drunk seeing a full-grown alligator in a northern lake, but eventually it was noticed that she was no longer at her home in an area mini-zoo.....so the lake residents arose in arms insisting that the parties who had deposited the alligator in the lake be caught and put away for life.

Not only did all the state's newspapers publish articles about the story, but both Walter Cronkite and Huntley/Brinkley closed out their national evening newscasts with the story one evening.

Eventually we were caught and tried. Facing $6,000 in fines and 6 years in jail as a 20 yr. old college student put the fear of God in me.

Standing before the judge, he ripped into us for a good 20 minutes and I was convinced I would be put away for life - or worse. He then slapped us each with a $35 fine. My first experience of the mercy and grace of God.

I thought we were the original Gator Nappers, but a Google search shows that Hannah-Barbara actually had a cartoon series by that name starting in 1962.......

Needless to say, tags on my car, truck, and motorcycle all say, "G8RNAPR", and it's my log-on tag on many websites......

[humblegunner]

Someone should tell these guys that there are no crocodiles on this continent.

Only alligators.

[JoeProBono]

http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/2010/04/creature-feature-american-crocodile-florida%E2%80%99s-comeback-kid5622

[BwanaNdege]

This guy has to have the fastest reflexes on the PLANET!