Public Opinion About Alligators In Florida

A public opinion survey designed to measure human attitudes toward wild alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) and alligator management was carried out. Most \\92%) l"1orida residents view the alligator as a valuable species, but 73% felt that large alligators are dangerous. There was variation in the degree of danger attributed to alligators by various socioeconomic groups. Opinions about management strategies were more variable than for the other topics examined. In urban areas, 52% felt that wildlife officers should capture large alligators, a sizable group (50%) favored commercial harvest and sport hunting in wild areas, and 25% favored complete protection in wild areas.