Help save Silver Springs Alligator

Help save Silver Springs Alligator

The Issue

As most of you are aware there is video footage of a woman Vicki Baker on social media platforms paddle boarding at Silver Springs State Park.  The video shows Ms. Baker actually paddling towards the alligator during nesting season instead of away from it.  She has claimed that the alligator swam towards her aggressively which upon viewing the video is not the case.  She is also quick to pull out a camera to videotape the encounter instead of removing herself from what she felt was an aggressive situation.  Ms. Baker has herself admitted to eating her lunch while paddle boarding in the State Park.  Yet she also stated she felt that the gator was possibly fed by humans.  In my opinion eating while paddle boarding in water occupied by Florida Wildlife is not a good idea. I am imploring you all to not kill this alligator as I believe do many others that this alligator is not aggressive nor did it approach her but she approached and disturbed it.  The alligator showed it's displeasure by her pushing it away with an oar by hissing.  I firmly believe that this entire situation has been greatly exaggerated.  If you review the video you can hear people yelling for her to leave the gator alone, even Park officials on a loud speaker telling her to back away from the alligator.  This alligator was in it's natural environment acting like an alligator.  This gator most likely had a nest nearby and was asserting itself to protect it's clutch.  Please help me save this gator and allow it to stay in Silver Springs State Park.  It doesn't deserve to die or be relocated as a nuisance gator because humans encroached upon it's natural habitat.

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The Issue

As most of you are aware there is video footage of a woman Vicki Baker on social media platforms paddle boarding at Silver Springs State Park.  The video shows Ms. Baker actually paddling towards the alligator during nesting season instead of away from it.  She has claimed that the alligator swam towards her aggressively which upon viewing the video is not the case.  She is also quick to pull out a camera to videotape the encounter instead of removing herself from what she felt was an aggressive situation.  Ms. Baker has herself admitted to eating her lunch while paddle boarding in the State Park.  Yet she also stated she felt that the gator was possibly fed by humans.  In my opinion eating while paddle boarding in water occupied by Florida Wildlife is not a good idea. I am imploring you all to not kill this alligator as I believe do many others that this alligator is not aggressive nor did it approach her but she approached and disturbed it.  The alligator showed it's displeasure by her pushing it away with an oar by hissing.  I firmly believe that this entire situation has been greatly exaggerated.  If you review the video you can hear people yelling for her to leave the gator alone, even Park officials on a loud speaker telling her to back away from the alligator.  This alligator was in it's natural environment acting like an alligator.  This gator most likely had a nest nearby and was asserting itself to protect it's clutch.  Please help me save this gator and allow it to stay in Silver Springs State Park.  It doesn't deserve to die or be relocated as a nuisance gator because humans encroached upon it's natural habitat.

The Decision Makers

Ron DeSantis
Florida Governor
Florida Fish And Wildlife
Florida Fish And Wildlife
Silver Springs State Park
Silver Springs State Park

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Petition created on September 16, 2021