Posted by Angela McCain on April 29, 2011 at 9:29 PM
Avery Island, Louisiana. Today
This couple was poking at an alligator with a stick with food on it. The man started, then she took over and tried to PET the alligator on the head. We took a picture, but then drove away because we didn't want to encourage them. Are people this dumb?
And to think we consider ourselves the top of the food chain.
Posted by Dottie Short on April 30, 2011 at 12:00 AM
Did they know you were taking their picture, and did you remember to get a release? Or maybe they can't read If the alligator bit her finger off, they would probably yell, "Is there a doctor in the house"!! Your shooting buddy!
Posted by Brad Mangas on April 30, 2011 at 12:40 AM
Selective gene pool elimination, works every time.
Everybody is being so nice and supportive Angela and I agree with all their comments. BUT!!! Nobody is saying it so I'm sorry I'm going to....why the heck did you not intervene!!??!!?? Taking a photo and driving away does not seem to me to be doing enough. If you didn't want a confrontation, could you not contact authorities? I would not stand for this. JR
Posted by Nancy de Flon on April 30, 2011 at 1:37 PM
And if one of those morons gets their hand bitten off, they will undoubtedly find someone to try to sue.
Posted by Kent Staubus on April 30, 2011 at 3:02 PM
Guys that age usually learn the hard way. I've seen the same type walk up to bull buffaloes out here.
Kent in SD
Posted by Angela McCain on April 30, 2011 at 8:08 PM
Yes, I called the authorities and gave the exact location. It was techically on private land (but open to the public). So I contacted the owner's representative.
plenty of stupid people where ever you go. I tell people that anyone who doesn't believe in natural selection never spent a summer at the grand canyon.
I think we should have a permanent thread on "STUPID PEOPLE." to document this type of absurd behavior. People never cease to amaze me with their lack of brains and common sense.
That would also be a good "Weekly Challenge."
ugh.
Good for you Angela. I'm so glad you took some action. Everybody is so correct in that the wild animal is always the one that suffers as a result of human ignorance and so many observes just tsk tsk without doing anything. You did something so well done. Thanks very much for your feelings, your caring and your action. JR
This would not be my preferred way to go,( eaten by an alligator). I see people doing these stupid things all the time. Take for instance, I would never take a stroll at 2a.m. in a crime ridden neighborhood, where there is known rapes and robbery, but women and men do it all the time. Many never make it back home. I think this is some kind of ignorance gene that is being passed around.
These folks aren't stupid, merely curious. And alligators are not as stupid as most people think they are. Think about it. This is a ton less dangerous than sky-diving, firefighting, being a cop, rock climbing, drinking booze, smoking pot, or commuting to work. Stupid would be whipping the gator out of the pond and trying to wrestle it. A fair number of southern males have scars on their arms from playing with gators but few are limbless. The rule of thumb is don't go in the pond if the gator is longer than you, but it looks to me like everyone in this picture is co-existing peaceably. This photo reminds me a bit of "A Confederate General from Big Sur."
I've never heard that rule of thumb, but we'll have to agree to disagree. Everyone coexists peacefully every time until the alligator reacts not stupidly at all but instinctively, and stupid and instinct have no relationship to each other. Then all hell breaks loose for not only the gator involved but every other gator in the same area of the same body of water. And yes, as fascinating as they are, in my opinion we need to leave them alone.
"This photo reminds me a bit of "A Confederate General from Big Sur." "
The part about the croaking frogs in the pond that were driving everyone nuts--that's one of the most hilarious pieces of writing I've ever read.
When I was kid, I saw my first gator in Caddo Lake. It looked huge, and very capapble of having us for lunch. Perhaps my young eyes made it bigger than life, but it sure made a lasting impression! Definitely, leave them alone (true for all wildlife).
The folks in the picture may have only been curious, but imo they were acting stupidly, most likely out of ignorance, but that could certainly lead to very unpleasant outcomes for them and the gator.
Discussion
21 repliesThis couple was poking at an alligator with a stick with food on it. The man started, then she took over and tried to PET the alligator on the head. We took a picture, but then drove away because we didn't want to encourage them. Are people this dumb?
DUH.
It looks like at least one of them will soon be part of the food chain!
More candidates for the Darwin Award!
Yikes!
--P
Kent in SD
That's hilarious, David!
--P
That would also be a good "Weekly Challenge."
ugh.
Sandy
The part about the croaking frogs in the pond that were driving everyone nuts--that's one of the most hilarious pieces of writing I've ever read.
When I was kid, I saw my first gator in Caddo Lake. It looked huge, and very capapble of having us for lunch. Perhaps my young eyes made it bigger than life, but it sure made a lasting impression! Definitely, leave them alone (true for all wildlife).
The folks in the picture may have only been curious, but imo they were acting stupidly, most likely out of ignorance, but that could certainly lead to very unpleasant outcomes for them and the gator.
--P
The two things aren't necessarily mutually exclusive, you know.