resources. Kiawah averages about one mature
alligator (at least six feet in length) for every three
acres of pond surface area.
Biologists who work with the Town of Kiawah Island
and KICA monitor the island alligator population
on a continuous basis and perform evaluations on
alligators that are acting abnormally. Every alligator
reported by members undergoes an evaluation
with an island biologist. The biologists use their
experience to run several tests and afterward, any
alligator that demonstrates it has lost its fear of
humans is euthanized.
In 2019, the town formed a committee of included
members, the Kiawah Island Golf Resort, town and
KICA biologists, and an alligator research specialist
from Clemson University to audit Kiawah’s alligator
management practices. In February 2020, the
committee recommended increased alligator safety
and educational communications, but had no
changes to the island’s management protocol. You
can find the committee’s recommendations in the
Quarter 1 issue of Town Notes at www.kiawahisland.
org/town-notes/. The committee confirmed the
alligator population is healthy and self-regulates,
and any culling could disturb this balance and
increase alligator issues.
Following the committee’s recommendations,
KICA’s biologist and resilience specialist recently
developed a mapping overlay that allows the
biologists to see the location of alligator signage
on the island and anticipate areas where additional
signage might be beneficial. Using the information
provided by this program, the Lakes Management
team added 49 new signs, for a total of 155 alligator
safety signs throughout Kiawah Island. The signs
read, “Warning: Alligators. It is illegal to feed or
harass alligators. Report violations to KICA Security
at 843-768-5566.”
Each of Kiawah’s entities plays an important role
in alligator awareness on the island, and works
with its audience to promote safety. The town
and KICA directly monitor the population, and
determine the policies that the island puts into
place. Both entities also communicate with residents
and members, including guests, about the dangers
of interacting with alligators. KICA’s property
owner guest pass includes a printed warning on
the back, and an alligator safety flyer (kica.us/
alligatorsafety) is distributed by rental agents. The
Kiawah Conservancy contributes to research and
puts out a wealth of information on these animals
(visit KiawahConservancy.org and view the alligator
safety video on their YouTube channel). The Kiawah
Island Golf Resort and the Kiawah Island Club
promote safety to golfers with information and
signage on courses warning them to stay clear.
ALLIGATORS AND YOU
Alligator safety is a community commitment and it
requires community member participation. If you
are concerned about the behavior of an alligator,
contact the town at 843-768-9166 during business
hours or KICA security after-hours at 843-768-5566.
All reported alligators will be evaluated by an island
biologist. If there is any indication the gator is not
fearful of humans, it will be euthanized.
Remind your guests and neighbors to respect
the alligators. If you rent your property, provide
education to your renters — KICA’s alligator
safety flyer is available for download at kica.us/
alligatorsafety. The safety of this community is our
highest priority.
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