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The islands'newspaperof recordAndrew Congressand Kayia WeberWeek of July 29 - August 4, 2004SANIBEL & CAPTIVA, FLORIDAVOLUME 31, NUMBER 3120 PAGES75 CENTSSanibel resident killed by 12-foot alligatorBy Kevin DuffyStaff WriterMeisek was air-lifted to Lee Memorialshortly after police received a phone callfrom a neighbor at 12:41 p.m. Wednesday,informing them of the emergency.Officers discovered two persons in thewater at the pond's edge attempting toassist Meisek, who was floating face upand saying she was caught in vines. Theofficers, soon assisted by fire and EMSpersonnel, took up the struggle, but couldnot see the alligator despite Melsek'sclaims that it had her in it's jaws. She thencame free and rescuers pulled her toshore.The alligator, which appeared soonafter about 15 feet offshore and began toswim toward the assisting party in anaggressive manner, was shot and killed.Officers measured its carcass at 12 feetthree inches.Gary Morse, spokesman for FloridaFish and Wildlife, said necropsey resultson the 457-pound creature showed no evidence of it having been fed by man.Feeding alligators is a violation of statelaw because it can alter their behavior pal-A Sanibel resident attacked by an alligator on Wednesday has died, and cityofficials say they wiil scrutinize existingregulations to better safeguard people.Janie Meisek, 54, a landscaper whowas dragged into a pond while tree-trimming behind a house at 3061 PoincianaCircle, died at 9:16 a.m. Friday from complications due to extensive injuries, officials with Lee Memorial Health Systemsaid."She sustained devastating soft tissueinjuries," Dr. Drew Mikulaschek, directorof Trauma Services at Lee Memorial, saidduring an afternoon press conference atthe hospital. "By far and away, the moresignificant and serious injuries were sustained to her trunk itself."Mikulaschek wouldn't say how longMeisek spent on the operating table, citingprivacy regulations. He did say that lossof blood was not the overriding factor inher death.janie Meisek"Her wounds, in and of themselves,although devastating, were not fatal,"' hesaid.Meisek. Mikulaschek said, died ofSystemicInflammatoryResponseSyndrome -— essentially the body working overtime to try to cope with a traumatic event."The wounds were deep in her tissues.and were compounded by being in pondwater for at least 10 minutes." he said.Pond water is typically contaminatedwith micro-bacteria and other organisms,Mikulaschek said, which triggered herbody's reaction to the event."She required extensive surgery to control the onset of infection," he said. Melsek died on the operating table,Mikulaschek said."She was sick from the get-go, bui sherallied quite well," he told the media.Photo by Mary Hickey, Sanibel Fire & Rescue"There are just some things that we can't The alligator was shot by Sanibel Police after it turned on them following its attackfix."on Janie Meisek,A community remembers Janie MeisekBy Jenny BurnhamStaff WriterJanie Meisek. 54. died at Lee Memorial Hospital onFriday. July 23. of injuries she sustained when she wasattacked by a 457 pound alligator on Wednesday. July 21.Word of Ms. Melsek's death spread quickly on Sanibel.leaving island residents stunned and saddened.Jim Anholl. one of the three men first on the scene ofWednesday's attack, began his day among his fellow volunteer firefighters at Sanibe! Firehouse One. "lt"s justbeginning to catch up with me," he said of the emotionaleffect of the incident, in which he. Jack David, and RogerDeBord attempted to rescue iV!- . Meisek before police andEMTs armed,Anholt spent his morning working around theFirehouse and participating in a training exercise. After heheard the news of Ms. Melsek's death, he shook his head.""There's nothing that can be said now." he stated."He's taking it very hard." confided his daughter,Morganna Beth. "Harder than he's letting on."At the Sanibel-Capii\a Conservation Foundation,where Ms. Meisek purchased the native plants she used inher landscaping, the staff gathered to share their feelingswith one another.After their meeting, Marty Bryant of the SCCF told theINO! LEITLKSpage 6 DATELINEpage 7 REAL ESTATEpage 10 SPORTSpage 12 TV LISTINGSpage 13 POLICE BEATpage 16 CLASSIFIEDSpage 17Lee might sueSanibelPlans movingaheadFaxing up theplace?County threatens suit .unless city drops theirs.City gets grant to helpmove the building.Planning Commissionapproves.Lots of companies are hereto help, even when ownersare up north.— See page 8— See page 5— See page 16tern.Morse said that even a seeminglyharmless activity, such as feeding ducks,can present problems as well becauseducks are part of an alligator's staple diet."An alligator does not differentiatebetween the chef and the waiter, v/hosebeing served or the meal," he said. "It recognizes patterns of behavior, and if thereare ducks nearby, and you are feedingthem, you are now part of the scenario."Therefore, you are now food."Morse said it is essential to never feedany animal along the water's edge, or towalk the family pet alongside freshwaterbodies.Sanibel Mayor Marty Harrity said thatcouncil will look at existing policies withregard to alligators during it's August 3public hearing and see what can be doneto make them safer.'"It's unfortunate, a sad course ofevents."' he said.Councilman Steve Brown said that theisland's policy regarding 'nuisance" alligators may need !o be tightened to moreclosely mirror statewide policies."They have to show aggression,"" hesaid. "If it's in someone's pool or garage,our policy is if they are not aggressive —if it tries to get av-ay or is timid - - we willrelocate it."State policy is to kill die anima* l! itLTXCC'.-II'. iour 1'ect ir. ler.gr'i. S: .;ir-c! k;\v isto relocate the animal if it is up to eightfeet in length."There will definitely be a re-evaluation.'" Brown said.'"Ultimately we do have to follow siatclaw," Sanibel Chief of Police WilliamTomlinson said.Morse said that selective removal ordestruction of eggs in nests, in order tokeep alligator populations in check, is notcurrently state policy. Some eggs areremoved in order to stock commercialaliigator farms, where the animals areraised for their hides and meat."It is very difficult to successfully nestIsland Reporter that "'Janie was just a total free spirit, aremarkable woman. She was very spiritual, veiy psychic.She had a wonderful soul. We're just devalued. She'llleave a huge \oid. She'll be greatly missed."The Native Plant Nursery wa» closed on Friday afternoon.Michael Hannan, Janie's neighbor, worked part time forher for about five months three years ago. "Tropical stormGabrielle had just blown through." he said, "and she needed help cleaning up the debris the stoim had chopped onher clients' property."It was only five months, he added, bui when you workright next to someone digging holes and planting, you getto know that person."Most obituaries detail measurable achievements: CEOof this, president of that. Janie's achievements were lesstangible, but certainly no less admirable and no lesshuman. She overpaid me; she planted only native vegetation — she could have made a lot more m'oncy plantingexotics — and she cared for Sanibel."My wife Gloria and Janie would take trips to theislands north of here; they went out for Thai food together; sometimes they shared a plate of French fries: theywatched movies together, sharing popcorn," said Hannan.Jennifer Lessinger, her mother Judy Workman, and herbrother Michael Workman, were all close to Ms. Meisek."She was fun and fabulous," said Jennifer. "She wasgenerous and giving, giving of herself, of her time. Shewas one of the most positive people I ever knew, and verystrong." She paused. "I'm afraid I'm not doing her justice.You should talk to my brother Michael."See MELSEKpage 2
2 Week of July 29 - August 4, 2004 and hatch alligators in captivity," he said."Plus nature takes care of itself."Alligators are more than carnivores,Morse said. They are also cannibals,oftentimes preying on their young.Melsek became the 335 documentedalligator attack in the state and the 14thfatality since 1948, when records beganbeing maintained.Jane Keefer, 70, a seasonal Sanibel resident, escaped with a broken thumb anddeep wounds in April when an alligatorpulled her into a shallow pond while sheworked on a seawall in her backyard.Robert Steele, 81, lost his life onSeptember 11, 2001, the victim of an alligator who attacked him as he walked hisdog along a marshy area near his home onRabbitO Road, a short distance from J.N."Ding" Darling Wildlife Refuge.Brown said that the latest attacks onSanibel involved large gators, and that hewould like to see any changes to policyinvolve how to deal with the larger animals.MELSEKFrom page 1"I can't add much to that," said Michael."I worked for her for not quite a year. Shewas extremely generous to me. As a boss,she treated me with respect and with love.I'm really glad I got to know her."The mood at the Sanibel PoliceDepartment was somber. Chief BillTomlinson said of his men who went to Ms.Melsek's aid and shot the alligator, "theytried their best. They were real heroes. Shewould have passed earlier if they hadn'tdone what they did. They did a great job."'"He has some heroes in that department," said Gary Morse, of the FloridaFishandWildlifeConservationCommission, of Chief Tomlinson. "This isthe only alligator attack I've heard of, andI've heard of many, that sent shivers downmy spine. The police department wereheroes, period.""It took the wind out of my sails when IISLAND REPORTER"A very large alligator isn't afraid ofanybody, whether it's been fed or not," hesaid.Melsek, who was listed in critical condition, had her right arm amputated belowthe elbow. She pleaded with rescuers tocut it off during her struggle with the alligator.Ybanez, the lead trauma surgeon whoattempted to save Melsek, said her probability of survival would have been greatlyreduced had she not been brought to afacility with a trauma center."She'd have died anyway, but herchances would have been much muchless," he said.Brown said the tragedy would notforce Sanibel city officials to rethink theisland's mission statement of man andwildlife living in harmony with oneanother."We still have to live in concert withwildlife, we are a sanctuary island," hesaid. "We have to find ways that we canlive with ."heard about it." said Jim Jordan, City ofSanibel Planning Department, of Ms.Melsek's death. "I met her a couple oftimes through the Department, and shecame into the store[Mozella'sFoodworks]. She was very pleasant, whichkind of stuck with me. I never saw her in afoul or bad mood, she was nice woman. It'shard to know what her life would havebeen like if she had recovered, the consequences and all, but knowing her, she probably would have persevered."Jordan paused. "1 saw her just a weekago. You never know when it's the lasttime you're going to see someone."Ms. Melsek's friends established anaccount at Bank of the Islands for contributions to help defray her medical expenses. Less than 48 hours after Ms. Melsekwas attacked, the Bank had recorded morethan Si000 in donations, according to abank official.According to Mike Hannan, "Janie wasvery much a part of Sanibel, and herfriends and the island, a friend in anotherform, will miss her."Photo by Kevin DuffyDr. Drew Mikulaschek, left, director of Trauma Services for Lee Memorial HealthSystem, and Trauma Surgeon Manuel Ybanez address the media Friday at the hospital regarding the cause of death of Janie Melsek, a 54-year-old Sanibel resident whodied earlier that day from complications brought on by an alligator attack.Memorial Service for Janie MelsekFriday, July 30, 2004 — 6 p.mSanibel Community Center2173 Periwinkle WayJoy, daughter of Janie, is grateful for the respect shown the family bythe press. She thanks you in advance for realizing that space will be limited at the service. She asks that you help her to ensure guests have seatsfirst and that they receive the same respect you have shown the family.Joy Melsek, is also requesting that donations be made to the fund thatwas established for her mother in lieu of flowers. From the fund medialexpenses will be paid and a permanent memorial will be placed at theSanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation in Janie Melsek's honor.Janie Melsek Contribution Fundc/o Bank of the Islands1699 Periwinkle WaySanibel, FL 33957You're A FewShort StepsFrom TheBest ShoeStore InSouthwest Florida1547 i \ w-V. -iJioe\ EURO COMFORT ,"We Haw Your Size. We Can Fit You. We Do not sacrifice Beauty and Style for Comfort!"
ISLAND REPORTER Week of July 29 - August 4, 2004 3Irrigation a major waste of city water according to Island Water Assoc.By Kevin DuffyStaff WriterCalabrese added that much of theproblem is caused by landscapers whowant to make sure that the lawns they areThe city's drinking water supply is left to maintain are green when absenteegreatly impacted by homeowners and owners return from the north duringlandscapers who do not adhere to water- tourist season. In other cases, the probing restrictions for their properties lem is caused by* homeowners withbecause not everyone on Sanibel is multi-million dollar homes who canhooked-up to the reusable water system, afford to pay high water bills.the Planning Commission was told"Seventy percent of the homes I visitTuesday.; ed, people were watering sand and seaEngineeringManagerRichard grapes," he said.Calabrese of The Island WaterCommissioner Marie Gargano saidAssociation, a non-profit entity that she has gradually replaced some of heroversees Sanibel #ndCaptiva, told the lawn with native vegetation that requirescommission that 350 households on sparse irrigation. The move has workedSanibel are using over 30,000 gallons of out fine for her.potable water per month, double the"Being able to afford it isn't an"average usage of 15,000 gallons per excuse," she said of excessive waterhousehold. Much of this usage is tied users. "We all will pay and be penalizedinto watering their lawns, he said.for added infrastructure.""The major problem is irrigation,"Gargano suggested offering incentivesCalabrese told the commission as part of for compliance —- such as discounts onits ongoing recommendations to staff on native vegetation — and. penalties forthe Evaluation and Appraisal Report of overuse.the Sanibel Plan."Once a household gets beyond theThe commission also heard reports average there should be an exorbitantfrom staff regarding wastewater treat- price," she said.ment, storm drainage, and disposal ofThe hours during which people aresolid waste.allowed to water their yards, set forth byCommissioner John Veenschoten the South Florida Water Managementasked if residents can be required to District, are also being abused, Calabresehook-up to the city's reusable water sys- said. Irrigation is not permitted betweentem for irrigation, but Calabrese said that 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.course of action is not feasible.The association has close to 5,000"Not everybody can hook up," he member households on the two islands,said. "The city would have to re-pipe the Calabrese said.whole island."Public Works Director Gates CastleCROW gets support from Publix Super MarketsPublix Super Markets Charities supports local wildlife rehabilitation effortswith a grant of 3,500 to the Clinic forthe Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW).Located on Sanibel CROW-cares for allLee County injured, sick and orphanedwildlife.Numbers of wildlife patients haveincreased at CROW by approximately65 percent during the last five years, yetprivate support has not increasedaccordingly. Efforts are underway atCROW to increase private philanthropic support from individuals as well ascorporations and foundations'.Ann Moran,, president of CROW'sboard of directors was thrilled to learnof the grant. "Publix Super MarketsCharities is known for its spirit of giving within the Southeast United Statesand has been a true advocate in givingback. We at CROW are so pleased theychose to support our efforts withwildlife," said Ann."Publix Super Markets Charities hassupported a number of wonderful organizations through the years; includingSpecial Olympics, March of Dimes,Children's Miracle Network, FoodIndustry Crusade Against Hunger andthe United Way. CROW is proud to beamong these wonderful organizationsbeing supported" said Mrs. Moran.Publix Super Market Charities recognized the fine work being accomplished.Aat CROW and wanted to help in itsitsefforts, continuing the spirit of givingestablished by the founder of Publix,the late George Jenkins. Publix SuperMarkets Charities was established byMr. Jenkins and continues today withthe mission of improving life in ourcommunities.There are people arid organizationsdedicated to the vital work of preserving natural habitats, and CROW isworking to help preserve the speciesthat live within those habitats throughthe rescue, care and rehabilitation ofinjured, sick or orphaned wildlife.Established in 1968, CROW is one ofthe nation's leading wildlife rehabilitation hospitals for tropical native andmigratory wildlife. A nonprofit veterinary hospital, CROW provides medicalcare for nearly 4,000 injured, sick andorphaned wildlife patients each yearfrom all of Lee County.CROW relies exclusively on privatedonations to operate. Birgit Vertesch,Director of Development for CROWexplains that the number of patientsreceived by CROW continues toincrease, and financial contributions arevery important. Gifts can be mailed toCROW at P.O. Box 150; Sanibel, FL33957. For more information aboutCROW, contact Ms. Vertesch at 3955357 or 472-3644.JL JCity Council decided during its July 20 meeting to obtain revenue bonds tofinance construction of the new Sanibel Recreation Center. This action will notrequire voter approval. A story that appeared on page one of the July 22 IslandReporter indicated incorrectly that voters would decide in a special election earlynext year.The Island Reporter regrets the error.told the commission that the city's contract with Florida Recycling ends on thesame day as that of Lee County's —:Sept. 30, 2005 — and said that the county's contract could possibly be expandedto include Sanibel.The county's Solid Waste divisionperiodically sets-up staging areas forhazardous material pick-up, such as paintcans, herbicides and pesticides, and recycled oil, in places like Cape Coral andPage Field in Fort Myers. Those munici- *palities are charged 15,000 per day forthe service, Castle said.""If we became part of the county program for solid waste, maybe they woulddo it on Sanibel and negate the 15,000,"Gargano said.Gargano, who lobbied for greateremphasis on recycling in the Evaluationand Appraisal Report, said that theinequity levied on condominium residents also needs to be addressed. Condominiums are regarded as commercialcustomers and are charged for the service. .,"We are penalizing them to comply,"she said.Compounding the problem is the current weight restriction on large commercial vehicles travelling over the Sanibel'Causeway. Castle said he hoped that, bythe time the five-year contract terminatesin 2010, weight restrictions on the bridgewill have been removed.* Commissioner John Dillon suggestedan annual pick-up on the island of hazardous materials."It's too long a trip to Page Field," saidresident Tom Rothman. "I'd like us to dosomething on the island itself."Another resident, Karen Storjohann,suggested educating residents on how tostore harmful materials until they can besafely disposed. This would lessen thechance of them leeching into Sanibel'sgroundwater supply in the event of hurricane or stormwater surge.Castle also updated the commission onthe the status of the city's existing stormdrainage infrastructure, and UtilitiesDirector John Hefty spoke about wastewater treatment. Both topics generatedminimal discussion."I don't feel the Planning Commissionhas to do anything with this,"Veenschoten said of wastewater. "It's ingood hands."Hefty said that he would like toincrease water storage capacity to meetpeak season demands in March and April,but reported there is money set aside inthe capital budget to address the issue.Assistant Planning Director KenPfalzer told the commission that heexpects to get a draft of the Evaluationand Appraisal Report back to the boardby the end of August. City Council willgrant final approval before the documentis forwarded to Tallahassee.NOTICE OF PROPOSED ENACTMENTOF ORDINANCE 04-012CITY OF SANIBEL, FLORIDA The Sanibel City Council will meet and have a Second Reading and Public Hearing August03, 2004 at Sanibel City Hall in the Council Chambers (MacKenzie Hall), 800 Dunlop Road,Sanibel, Florida, at 9:30 a. m. to consider proposed enactment of the following ordinance(s)to be titled:;a) ORDINANCE 04-012 PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE III,"LEGISLATIVE", TO ADD A NEW SECTION 3.18 TO THE SANIBEL CITYCHARTER (AS CODIFIED) TO BE ENTITLED "COMPREHENSIVEBU1LDBACK AND REDEVELOPMENT STUDY PROCESS"; PROVIDINGTHAT THE CITY COUNCIL SHALL ESTABLISH AND CONDUCT,COMMENCING IN THE 2004-2005 FISCAL YEAR, A COMPREHENSIVEBUILDBACK AND REDEVELOPMENT STUDY PROCESS WHICH SHALLINCLUDE RESEARCH, REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS BY CITYSTAFF, TOGETHER WITH SUCH OTHER EXPERTS, IF ANY. DEEMEDNECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE BY CITY COUNCIL. REVIEW,CONSIDERATION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE CITY OFSANIBEL PLANNING COMMISSION AT NOTICED PUBLIC HEARINGS.AND CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERATION, WITH INPUT AT ALL LEVELS,TO DETERMINE THE NEED FOR, AND APPROPRIATE TYPE OF, LANDUSE REGULATIONS APPLICABLE FOR BUILDBACK ANDREDEVELOPMENT; PROVIDING THAT SUCH REGULATIONS ARENECESSARY TO ADDRESS BUILDBACK AND REDEVELOPMENTISSUES WHICH WOULD BE APPLICABLE AFTER DESTRUCTION OFSTRUCTURES OR PROPERTIES BY A HURRICANE OR OTHERNATURAL DISASTER, AND TO PROVIDE FOR REPLACEMENT OFFUNCTIONALLY OR COMMERCIALLY OBSOLETE BUILDINGS WHICHDETERIORATE OVER TIME AND SHOULD OR MUST BE REPLACED;PROVIDING THAT SUCH LAND USE REGULATIONS, IF DETERMINEDTO BE NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE, WILL ADDRESS ALLNECESSARY LAND USE CONSIDERATIONS AND WILL PRIMARILYFOCUS ON CRITICAL LAND USE ISSUES SUCH AS HEIGHT, DENSITY,INTENSITY, AND IMPERMEABLE AND DEVELOPMENT COVERAGE;ESTABLISHING AN ELECTION DATE PURSUANT TO SECTION 7.01(A)OF THE SANIBEL CITY CHARTER (AS CODIFIED) FOR THEELECTORATE TO VOTE UPON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THESANIBEL CITY CHARTER; PROVIDING FOR THE CONDUCT OF THEELECTION BY THE LEE COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS,PROVIDING BALLOT LANGUAGE; PRbVIDING FOR NOTICE OFELECTION AND CANVASSING OF RESULTS; PROVIDING FORELECTION AND EFFECTIVE DATE OF AMENDMENTS UPONREFERENDUM APPROVAL; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.Said proposed ordinance(s) are on file and may be inspected by the public at the City Clerk'soffice, Sanibel City Hall, 800 Dunlop Road, Sanibel,, Florida. All interested parties mayappear at the meeting and be heard with respect to the proposed ordinances. If a persondecides to appeal a decision made by Council on any matter considered at thismeeting/hearing, such person may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings ismade, to include the testimony and evidence upon which any such appeal is to be based.In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing a specialaccommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact Jim Isom, Manager ofAdministrative Services no later than one day prior to the proceedings. Telephone 239-4723700 for assistance. If hearing impaired, telephone the Florida Relay Service number 711.tn l/i&FEATURE LISTING: Somerset At The Reef2 bedroom, 2.5 bath plus den, very spacious uncommon designCall for Open House TimesMARY LOU BAILEY 4- CHUCK BERGSTROM * 239*472-1511A ResortQuest Company
4 Week of July 29 - August 4, 2004 ISLAND REPORTERSome Q & A about alligatorsLast we ek 's 0.100.010.000.221.610.45July 21July 22July 23July 24July 25July 26July 27Note: Rainfall levels are recorded fromthe morning of the day given to the following morning.Source: Island Water AssociationSanib el- Captiua TidesJill. 3 0 -" T *'* Feei J2TidalRange atRedfishPass10that it wiii be useful, but without any warranty.i* iliiSIilitiili iliiii;SunriseSunsetHOT FOR NAVIGATION.This information is furnished in the hope201MAuwtw;— ; " :mismmIliiipIIBIilliK11HIJlfHiii p1116:54 a8:15 P6:53 a8:16 PRedfish LoPassHI- tvm 'a : 'im aLo 7:53 P 5:33 aHiP';Lo8:37 P - ' * - ?' -MBL-,,,v; 6:53 a8:17 P6:54 a8:15 P m 6:55 a 6:56 a8:13 P 8:12 P6:55 a8:14 PaaPP ;5:284:34 a 4:50 a 5:07 a 10:57a" " 7:50a. ::;8;;.52 a- . 9.:54 a"- 5:181:37 P 2:31 P 3:25 P 4:20 P 11:12 ' ' ' : ' . ' ,*4:19 a. . -LoPuntaRassaa'15:28 a."v : .- ! ""'4:14 a 4:29 a8:32 P1:32 PHI "JrW&B. aLo 7:48 PLo ' .5:20 a5:02 a 10:52 a9:48 a' --JSc-i'3-p.3:20 P 4:15 P 11:07 P' ' ' . ':;a-Hi4:45 a:: & * « !2:26 pLoSanibelLightV. / .7:54 ,P 12:09 P"-PMr-"rV-'-'-.'"Lokit 'a .4:361:03 P 4:40 a .4:13 a 9:45 a 10:53,7\2J 8-;38a .:.3«-§Z P' .4:321:55 P 2:46 P 10:53 P 11:19.Lo :'.aaPPCaptiva Lo(Outside)0,Lolift 1;r, ; -. /« 3:05 a3:20 a3:36 a,;a ;:::0c2S '' :' .?:J27 '"'7:23 P 12:23 PLO*:: v:4s t a3:53 a 9:43 a; { .,.; 46:39 p 4:19 a1:17 P2:11 P';&64 fl;3:06 P 9:58 PislandSANIBEL AND CAPTIVA, FLORIDA;,;; T/ze Island Reporter is Sanibel's newspaper. of record, published each Thursday with .v ,. more rta« 2,600paid subscribers, and is-"the primary news source for islanders.TonyaSquibbPhone? 239) 2-15 7 A ;GroupPublisher TerriBlackmore.e-mail: sancapnews@Wguide.com :, .website: www.flguide.com, ;. .Hours: Mem.? Frt., r'.8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.!.:ExecutiveEditorKevinDuffy", MargueriteBurnsStaff Writer Real EstateAcct. Exec.Display:Noon TuesdayClassified:4 p.m. neGrasgreenClassifiedSubscriptionsPostal InformationJennyBurnhamStaff WriterAmyFlemingStaff WriterIf SiJoySimpkinsPeriodical-rate postage paid at SanibelPost Office, FLPostmaster.' Send address changes to theIsland Reporter P.O. Box 809Snnihel. FT. 33957. . „ „ 'SWDim- Ihnksitlf and 1 njo\ ADelights Iiiiiii flic Sr«li Docsn'l deldel \n lirsliri.'lirslin.' 4li.Member Florida Press Association' Scmibel-Captiva Chamber of CommerceAffiliate member Board of RealtorsFPA award-winning newspaper70 degrees they are unable to digest foodand have no appetite. Above that temperaThere are rumors that alligators can run ture they will eat when food presents itself.When asked how long an alligator canas much as 35 or 40 mph in a straight line.This is not really true. Alligators can crawl, go without food, Register said, "at least 12walk and swim. They can also lunge rapid- months." He noted that while they mightly and repeatedly which is how they get start to look sickly, they are still very muchalive after a year with no food.some of their food.Young alligators have an instinctive fearTo get some distance from an alligatorof shadows moving- overhead, since theyjust run away in a straight line.Allen Register, manager of Gatorama in are prey to many birds. When they reachLaBelle, described alligators as "oppor- about 18 inches they are no longer appealtunistic" eaters. When food is handy they ing to birds and simply lose that fear.Similarly, older, alligators lose theirwill eat he said.But there are some considerations to instinctive wariness of larger creatures, likekeep in mind. They are cold-blooded and humans, when they get to be bigger, on thewhen the ambie.nt temperature drops below order of ten feet or more.Alligators: myths vs. factsAdvertisingDeadlinesRennySeverancehard to get a meal out there, and engagingin a footrace wastes energy."Two, alligators won't engage in anHere are some commonly asked ques- injury-risking activity unless its essential."They're not going to put themselves intions about alligators,, and safety tips forco-existing with them, from Gary Morse, too many situations where they aren'tspokesman for the Florida Fish and adapted," Morse said. "They are consummate cowards, and they will make sure theWildlife office in Lakeland.Q: When are nesting and mating season? coast is clear."Alligators wiU stalk their prey from theShould people be more careful duringwater and snap at their intended victim ifthis time?they wander too close to the water's edge,A: April to September. And yes, they Morse said.should.Morse prefers to call this time of year '*a Q: What should one do if an alligatormoves threateningly toward them?period of high activity" when the weatherand water warm up, causing the metabolic A: Run in a straight line directly awayfrom the animal, and the water.rate of alligators, and consequently thenneed for food, to increase.Q: What is the average lifespan of an alli"Their blood flow increases and theirgator? How large do they grow?metabolic rate goes way up," he said. A: An alligator will generally live between"These are periods of high activity when30 and 40 years in the wild. Thethere is nesting, mating, and new territorieslargest animal will grow to be about 15are being set."feet in length, Morse said. The alligaMorse said that people should be carefultor that fatally attacked Janie Melsekwhen nearby freshwater bodies throughoutlast week was 11 feet nine inches andthe year, but especially between April andweighed 457 pounds.September and during nighttime and atQ: What is the largest alligator on record?dusk, when alligators like to feed.A:14 feet five inches.Q: Does feeding alligators alter theirQ:Whatis Florida's alligator population?behavior pattern, and make them moreSanibel's?dangerous to man?A: There are anywhere from 1 million toA: Yes.1.5 million adult alligators statewide,Alligators are naturally afraid of people,Morse said. Between 300-400 live onMorse said. "The problem comes whenSanibel.people start to interact inappropriately withalligators," he added. "Anything to do with Q: Does Florida Fish and Wildlife conduct a periodic census of the alligatorfood, and a breakdown starts to occur."population?Alligators r
Gary Morse, spokesman for Florida Fish and Wildlife, said necropsey results on the 457-pound creature showed no evi-dence of it having been fed by man. Feeding alligators is a violation of state law because it can alter their behavior pal-Photo by Mary Hickey, Sanibel Fire & Rescue
