Students Warned About Pesky Alligator Living in Pond Where Students Walk

Administrators from an elementary school, middle school, and high school within the Columbia County School District are issuing a caution to guardians of students who walk to and from school in those neighborhoods. In the Blue Ridge Crossing community, a short distance from each of the three schools, an alligator was observed in a pond.

On August 17, a note sent to guardians read: “We are notifying you regarding a concern brought to our attention by a community member that may impact students who walk to and from school.”

The five-foot alligator isn’t harming anyone, according to state wildlife authorities, and a fence is protecting the schools, which means the gator won’t be removed at this time. Alligators are native to the Augusta area and can be located in several areas throughout the city. 

These animals are usually most active throughout the summer when they are searching for food. 

Do Alligators Attack Humans?

Generally speaking, alligators are not hostile toward people. Alligators under five feet long rarely attack without provocation, however, strange behavior does occasionally happen. The gators that are under eight feet long often only bite once. 

Alligators longer than eight feet typically engage in severe and frequent attacks, which almost certainly stem from hunting and feeding. It is suggested to never walk a dog on a path near a pond where an alligator is known to reside. 

There’s a history of these ancient beasts leaping out of the water and grabbing a small dog with ease. One man walking with his pooch experienced this and pried his furry friend out of the animal’s powerful jaws! 

These students walking to school should have nothing to worry about. Most of the time, humans are not on the menu for these ancient reptiles. The majority of the victims of fatal alligator attacks weren’t aware of the animal before being attacked. 

Although alligator attacks mostly take place in the water, they have also happened on dry land. After the animal escapes, those who frequently walk pets become the secondary target. Particularly when food becomes linked to humans, alligators rapidly gain conditioning. 

This is just one of the many reasons you wouldn’t want to feed an alligator. These animals that become used to humans can be harmful, especially to young children. Human-fed alligators frequently develop hostile behavior and need to be relocated.  

When gators get used to being around people, they pose a hazard in ponds and rivers near schools and high-density residences.