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Victim’s mother shares thoughts on alligators

Location: Blogs Now We're Talking
Posted by: Joe Byrnes	2/20/2007 4:11 PM
Dawn Marie Yankeelov -- whose daughter, a talented artist, was killed last May by an alligator while she was snorkeling in Juniper Creek in the Ocala National Forest – has sent an e-mail to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on its review of alligator management. Yankeelov agreed to share that letter with all of us. The well-written thoughts of a former journalist who lost her daughter on Mother’s Day speak for themselves. Here's a picture of her daughter, Annmarie Campbell: I urge you, also, to share your views on alligator management — whether your concerns are conservation or public safety, or both – with FWC Alligator Management Program Coordinator Harry Dutton by e-mailing him at harry.Dutton@myfwc.com. Get more information at myfwc.com/gators Here’s Yankeelov’s letter: Harry, With the death of my precious daughter, Annmarie Campbell, age 23, at the Sweetwater Cabin in the Ocala National Forest by an alligator shy of 12 feet, comes the responsibility to weigh in on the regulation of alligators in the state. I was a Florida (Ocala) resident for a period of 10 years, and do believe that the combination of human needs, land development, and an unchecked alligator population has begun to encroach on public safety. Overall, there should be more awareness for guests visiting the state, in light of more international travel, and generations of young Americans traveling now, who may not know the dangers. Billboards glamorize the alligator population in the state. And, adults of all ages, as well as children, need to hear the risks stated each time they enter an area where alligators are prevalent, and, particularly when the availability of assistance in an emergency, is limited. The list of all injuries reported by alligators each month throughout the state should be made public and posted on the web, with the locations of the attacks. This awareness and public safety through solid public affairs communications should be heightened during alligator mating seasons and years where drought causes more activity in the alligator population. It is my understanding from your team that signage was not in the vicinity at the time of her death. I was told that what signage there was in the region, regarding “no swimming” in the water downstream, was to “protect vegetation,” according to representatives of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Ocala National Forest. Surely we value human life more than tourism and vegetation. I know that I do. Clearly my daughter’s death is only one example of the need for the following: --additional trail and water signage in state parks and wilderness areas, --signage of no swimming and associated risks, and special consideration of signage in wilderness areas. I understand that some action to add additional signage regarding alligator risks at Sweetwater Cabin has taken place. My daughter’s date of death and age were to be placed on signage as a deterrent. I do not believe this has occurred, and it is still an important step in warning the public of risks. However, this is one area in Florida only. Perhaps forms that require a signature for each visitor into the wilderness areas, stating the risks associated with alligators in the vicinity should be mandatory. And, a copy should be given to each guest entering the wilderness area, describing the risk for renting a cabin in the area, regarding alligators and what to do. As you may know, I have been an advocate for 911 service needed to reach Florida guests and residents in the wilderness areas, particularly where people pay to be at these cabins. I have provided the contacts to Denise Rains at the Ocala Forest Service at Verizon and other telecommunications professionals who may be in a position to assist on the government side in this process. I also believe that the FWC could relax hunting restrictions, allow landowners to manage alligators on their land and make it easier for homeowners to get rid of nuisance gators. And, in commercial settings gators can also be found to be a threat to public safety--you do not have to go to many networking business meetings in Louisville, Ky., to hear about alligator bites on Florida golf courses where there are bodies of water, for example. I believe that alligators are now more of a game species, but I am not familiar enough with the rules, regulations and past legislation on the books to know what is available to better aid population control and public safety regarding alligators. Clearly, it is time to take action to protect the public through enhanced communications, trapping, hunting, and regulations. This should be a part of Annmarie’s legacy to the state of Florida. Best wishes for a safe and healthy future for all Florida residents and guests, Dawn. Dawn Marie Yankeelov

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Re: Victim’s mother shares thoughts on alligators

By Ray Cates on 2/20/2007 6:32 AM

I remember back in the 50's and 60's when citizens could go out and swim in any of the wonderful lakes in Marion County, in our National Forest. Now it is not OUR Ocala National Forest, it is 'theirs', the alligators. They rule all the little lakes, and most of the very large ones.

Once I wanted a house on a lake. Now alligators rule the waterfront around lakes, and that makes most lakes risky to humans. I now want to live away from the infested lakes.

In 2005 residents made 18,000 calls to the Statewide alligator management program at the Florida Fish and Waldlife Conservation Commission and 8,000 were trapped. In the 1960's it was a rare to see an alligator while swimming, or looking at water bodies in Florida as to see a Florida Panther. That is really rare. That situation has now completely ended. The hunting scheme is not working at all.

I have a solution for Florida of our problem. It is to keep a few alligators in zoos, stuff some in museums so tourists can see them when they come to Florida. All the rest of the monsters, who take off human limbs, and eat people. The words for the solution are: exterminate, root-out, blot-out, and destroy them as a conquering monster. Do what we do to termites to these human menaces.

Re: Victim’s mother shares thoughts on alligators

By Anna Redgate on 3/2/2007 9:35 AM

I am now more familure with the story of tragic loss of a child than I ever imagined I would be when I became a mother for the first time 9.5 years ago. For Dawn Yankeelov, the loss of her daughter is devistating, I am thouroughly sorry for her loss and deep grief.

There are questions I have for those responsible for the management and care of the Sweetwater cabin's: Are you not responsible for notifying and informing your guests of the dangers of predatory amimals while staying on your property? Why was there no access for emergency responce? If 911 service was not available, why was there not an alternative? Why was there an area bouyed off, that appeared to be for swimming, when there was knowledge that an 11ft. alligator had taken residence in this area? How can you rent to the public and not bring awareness through signage, verbal warnings or written notification when renting out a cabin to human beings? How can you not notify parents, some with small children, that they are risking their childs life when swimming in waters inhabitated with predators?

I would like to see answers to these basic questions answered for the public's benefit. I would like to know why the management of these wilderness areas have not paid proper respect to the memory of Annmarie Campbell by posting large warnings to others and signs telling of her tragic fate?

I do not believe that it would be asking too much to show this family respect in honoring Annmarie by acknowledgeing them with admitting that they fell short protecting their guests and properly advising of the dangers that are present in this wilderness area.

I value and protect the lives of my children with all that I am. When on vacation in an area for which I may be unfamilure I rely upon those knowledgeable and responsible for their location and property to keep me informed to the areas of interest and the risks of their teritory.

This is a very sad tragedy. Heart felt sympathy to all of Annmaries family and those who knew and loved her. Se was a beautiful young woman with so much in life ahead of her.

Re: thoughts on alligators

By G. Chaney on 3/8/2007 12:15 AM

Joe, Have considered this new problem and have come to some basic rules to keep the public safe. We have gators in drains, retention ponds, I know of some literally yards from Garrison Channel in Tampa, within view of the Cross-town Expressway in salt water territory. They make news in downtown St. Pete swimming in the Vinoy Basin's salt waters. I've come to the simple conclusion that when gators get to be in excess of 7, 8 feet in domestic waters, city locations, retention ponds, or ANY urban area they should be culled. Larger ones on waters considered recreational should also be "size-slot regulated." We just don't need to protect large gators in congested areas. Another law change needed is for little old ladies to be able to pop a cap in the tail of any lizzard-like intruder seeking a snack on little rover. We need to install some practical parameters on gator management, and legally empower citizens to defend themselves and their property. Scenes of county sheriff manpower tied up "guarding" an out of the pond gator with AR-15's is not my idea of handling the situation. Send ONE officer, deal with it, and turn the carcass over to a licensed trapper for processing. These ideas are timely and deal directly with the problem. We used to cut calculus at U of F back in 69-70' and go wade Noonan's Lake for bedding bass in the stumps with plenty of 10, 12, and even some scary sized ones. We Kept eyes on gators, snakes, but the feared badboy was paper wasps...and those red florida hornets the size of sparrows. That is still a wild eyed lake. But a retention pond in Anycity, Fl. is no place for large gators, and the species will not know they are gone in areas where human presence is the norm. As for the springs and creeks of Florida where folks enjoy the park and outdoors need to be likewise culled of large gators. You'll never get all the big ones but extending hunting seasons, upping bag limits, and raising the slot size of those taken can shift the harves burden to the larger animals. All it will take is for someone in the House bringing a bill forth, out of committee. A few phone calls. All the politicians right now are looking for anything to show they are on the job, a gator management bill is duck soup for someone dodging the public ire and still not wanting to alienate their lobbyist support. I know of not one single lobbyist working for the gator coalition. If I was an editorial writer type, I might call for some pol's to bring slot limit regulation into law. It doesn't cost much. Print some new reg's for distribution where you buy licenses. Worst thing is there will be some busy but happy gator trappers. Think of the new jobs that will be opened up to handle all this tonnage . GATOR, Product of Florida, U.S.A. It's What's For Dinner.

Re: Victim’s mother shares thoughts on alligators	By Curt Taylor on 6/10/2007 6:28 PM
The Gators were here before us so we are actually on their land. We stole their land. Plus Gators have roghts too.

Re: Victim’s mother shares thoughts on alligators	By Larry on 12/24/2007 4:24 PM
Your daughter was beautiful!!! OMG!!!

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