It seems every surfers worst fear is seeing a shark in the lineup at your local surf spot. Just the other day an even deadlier creature you don’t typically find swimming in the sea was spotted at a popular break in Florida.
On Thursday June 25, an eight-foot-long alligator cruised just past the surf line at Satellite Beach.
George Walrath, the Nuisance Alligator Trapper for Brevard County insists there is little cause for alarm as this is a rare occurrence. Alligators typically steer clear of saltwater. “This is only the second one in the ten years I’ve been doing it” said Walrath.
Photographer Steven Harp, who has experience documenting animals of this type, agreed: “It was pretty eerie. I’ve been on the beach here for almost 30 years, and I’ve never seen an alligator out in the ocean.”
Harp photographed the reptile, saying it stayed 50 to 75 feet offshore for the two miles he stayed with him. He noted that the salt water bothered the gator, as it swam with its head above water.
Walrath tried to snag the gator with a fishing line, but never caught it. “It was out past the break in the surf, too far for me to catch,” he said. “He was just moving north and stayed out of my reach.”
The next morning alligator tracks were found farther north, and it was assumed that he had disappeared into the dunes somewhere. However, it was decided that he wasn’t really a threat, so the hunt has been called off.
Post from: OC Beach Blog
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