The scenery was lovely. Tony Clemens: She named the Park after her father, whos Oscar Scherer. Before they made the endangered species list in 1967, alligators had become fashionable, their hides made into purses, belts, suspenders, shoes. MAMMOTH CAVE KY And in Southwest Florida, theres even a state park where you need to leave the car behind to get to! You have at least 2 chances to see alligators with a stop at Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park! Yet it was probably the Clementses most important decision as parents. "I was so glad that no one knew it was you back there.". NATIONAL LAKESHORES In general, Florida state parks have an entry fee. Here's What I Thought, Meet the Miccosukee Tribes First Female Alligator Wrestler. The weather was awesome, what a perfect time to visit Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey, Florida. ZION UT "Their friends loved to come and play in the park. Here's how. Living in Oscar Scherer is a mixed blessing for the park manager. The permit authorizing the kill, obtained under Florida's public records law, said a state park ranger, Brooke Doran, filed a formal complaint Jan. 11 about the alligator and indicated it was a threat to people, pets and property. "Were supposed to wake up, have breakfast with Katherines father, then go kayaking and visit my father," Clements says. She describes her husband as "a kind and gentle soul." Vicki Baker, 60, of Ocala said after her videos went viral she was harassed online relentlessly by people who mistakenly believed she had fed it. Janie Melsek, a landscaper, was pruning bushes on Sanibel Island on June 21, 2004 when a 12-foot alligator lurched from adjacent water and snatched her. Florida has been their home long before Indians built chickee huts and developers drained swamps for sprawling suburban development. For another chance to see alligators in a Southwest Florida state park, you can try Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park! She also works part-time as a hostess at Gecko's. To go to Cayo Costa State Park, youll need to leave the car behind! . His family moved to Florida when he was 10 years old. The best way to encounter a Florida alligator is at an attraction that puts a wall between you and the animal. He tried to bite my board. The dog survived. Their daughter, Aurora, now 16, has grown up in the park. The paddleboarder the alligator approached in September also declined to discuss the animal's death. Oscar Scherer State Park Myakka River State Park is a perfect Southwest Florida state park to visit if youre looking for nature with lots of green. Their shells stay soft for up to 7 years. Last year, it was the Grand Canyon. For years, hes done wildlife puppet shows "Albert the Alligator" and "Rocky the Raccoon" to entertain young visitors to the state park. by Katherine Clements Adult gopher tortoises average 10 inches in diameter and live to be 40-60 years old! Gatorland, near Orlando, features an entrance shaped like an open alligator mouth. WebOscar Scherer Osprey, FL Event Beach Hike Series Mon, May 1, 2023 8:15 am - 10:15 am EDT Join a park ranger for a 3/4-mile or 2-mile hike along our beautiful shoreline every Monday in May. Tortoises can be relocated to FWC approved recipient sites. No, not really. And he always knew he wanted to be a father. That setting, that refuge, has shaped their lives. WebWe camped at Oscar Scherer State Park in a Travel Trailer. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. WebThe 1,400 acre park has parking, restrooms, camping, picnicking, hiking, fishing, playground and kayaking/canoeing on South Creek or Lake Osprey, the main recreational area. Stress in animals can affect their behavior, feeding and reproductive habits. For many years, he arranged an Easter egg hunt for their children and friends. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. It was more than 11 feet long. Events WebWe did not see a single Alligator all weekend! Theres no corner store or crowds of kids. Its a quiet Florida island experience! How are they different? The animal turned out to be even larger. Florida wildlife officials have now killed a nearly 12-foot alligator that swam within inches of a frightened paddleboarder in a popular state park during a September encounter recorded on video that went viral. Previously a practicing naturopathic physician with a background in environmental studies, she believes the health of the environment is intricately linked with our own health and well-being. We go hiking or paddling and looking for scrub jays. GULF ISLANDS FL There is no Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park campground. The alligator was killed, and body parts from the victim were found in its stomach. The alligator had recently moved into the lake and was reportedly to have been fed by visitors to the park. You can make it a day trip to Cayo Costa State Park, or if youve got some time to spare, you can make it a night (or more!) BADLANDS SD MICHIGAN Sarasota Jungle Gardens has a daily reptile show with alligators. The South Creek attracts anglers, canoers and kayakers and the park has 15 miles of walking trails. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 957 0 obj <>stream The state park is the only home hes known. The responsible So it will require a bit of an effort in the form of planning a trip to Cayo Costa, but no matter how you choose to stay on Cayo Costa, you will be just a few minutes walk from the beach!

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