9
June 2018
What You Need
to Know About
Alligator Safety
on Kiawah
Alligators are a common sight on Kiawah and can be found
in just about every pond on the island. Almost everyone who
lives, works or visits the island has seen these animals. Now that
warmer weather is here, alligators have become much more
active and visible and have resumed feeding after the cold winter
months. While al ligators can appear lethargic and docile, they
are capable of great speed, power and agility, especially when
pursuing prey.
KICA asks that all members, visitors and guests review and
adhere to the following safety rules for alligators listed below.
Alligator Safety Rules
• Never approach an alligator. Maintain a distance of 60 feet
from alligators unless on an elevated dock or boardwalk.
• Do not feed alligators.
• Do not poke, prod or otherwise harass alligators.
• Do not throw fish scraps or bait into ponds when fishing
or crabbing.
• Keep children, dogs and other pets out of ponds and away
from pond edges.
• Do not approach alligator nests or hatchlings. Female
alligators are very vigilant and protective of their young.
• Do not retrieve golf balls that land in ponds or near an
alligator; take a drop.
• Do not attempt to pick up or handle an alligator for any
reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
How common are dog/alligator incidents on Kiawah Island?
Uncommon. Over the last 20 years, Kiawah has averaged about
one incident every three years. Most incidents have occurred
when dogs accidentally, or unknowingly, escaped from their
owners and entered ponds or approached a pond edge.
How common are human/alligator incidents on Kiawah?
Alligators do not view people as prey and incidents are extremely
D igest C ontributors
Frances Boyd - M ember V olunteer
Virginia Chapel - M ember V olunteer
Bill Hindman - M ember V olunteer
Shauneen Hutchinson - M ember V olunteer
Sue Schaffer - F eature reporter
Deb Stewart - M ember V olunteer
rare. There have been just a couple of minor incidents on Kiawah
Island over the last 40 years. Typically, incidents like these can be
easily avoided if safety rules are followed. Statewide, there have
been a number of documented incidents, but never a fatality.
How many alligators live on Kiawah Island?
Approximately 600 - 700 alligators live on Kiawah. Kiawah’s
alligator population is allowed to fluctuate naturally and has
remained stable over the last 10 years. It is safe to assume that
there is at least one alligator, usually more, in every body of
water on the island.
What is a nuisance alligator?
A nuisance alligator is an individual alligator that has become
a significant public safety risk. This typically occurs when an
alligator has been fed and has lost its inherent fear of people. All
reports of nuisance alligators are evaluated by island biologists.
If the alligator meets the nuisance alligator criteria, it is captured
and killed using “nuisance” tags issued by SCDNR. There is no
other harvest or removal of alligators on Kiawah Island.
If an alligator approaches me while fishing or crabbing
what should I do?
Use caution and remove your lines from the water. If an alligator is
hooked on your line, cut the line immediately. Report the incident to
the Town of Kiawah Island (843-768-9166) during normal business
hours or to KICA Security (843-768-5566) at all other times.
Why are alligators important to Kiawah Island?
Alligators have been on earth for almost 100 million years
and are a vital part of the delicate Kiawah Island ecosystem.
Young alligators provide food for many species of birds and
mammals, larger alligators help control populations of prey
species, and abandoned “gator holes” or wallows provide
critical freshwater habitat for countless species of animals.
Their presence is an indicator of the health of the island’s
lakes and ponds and the island itself.
S taff P roduction T eam
Doug Reynolds - C ommunications /E ditor
Tammy McAdory - C ommunications D irector
accurately and effectively communicate information to the
membership in a balanced and constructive manner.
S tatement of E ditorial P olicy
KICA will endeavor to report significant island news as well
as informational topics, programs and events of interest to its
members. KICA may from time to time publish editorials in support
D igest M ission S tatement
Kiawah Island Digest is an official communications tool of of its strategic objectives. Member suggestions on content should
be submitted by email to [email protected]
the Kiawah Island Community Association. Its mission is to