E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Wilfredo Lee / AP file
A wildlife biologist holds a small crocodile to release into a cooling canal in Homestead, Fla.
Looking for a job with a little adventure to it? Florida conservation officials are recruiting "crocodile response agents" to help corral the wayward reptiles. No experience required.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is planning to hire two to four more part-time agents — there is currently just one — to respond to calls when crocodiles stray onto human turf in the Florida Keys, the string of wetland islands at the southern tip of the state.
Crocodile response agents "assist in handling human-American Crocodile conflicts," wrote Carli Segelson, spokesperson for the Florida commission’s south region, in an email response to msnbc.com questions. "Their duties include, site visits, captures, translocations, carcass recoveries, other duties as needed."
The agents apparently are part of an attempt to address an increasing number of crocodile sightings, and calm alarm caused when a 10-foot-long crocodile snatched a family dog near Key Largo in March. The crocodile drowned the pet — as they typically do before eating their prey — before locals chased down the creature and retreived the canine carcass, the Miami Herald reported.
The conservation commission’s challenge is not only to protect humans and their pets from crocodiles, but also to prevent harm to the crocodiles, which are slowly recovering from near extinction.
The saltwater-dwelling American crocodile was listed as endangered in 1975 when numbers dropped as low as 300. It is now considered threatened, numbering around 1,500, according to Segelson.
Florida and other parts of the Southeast U.S. also have a large population of the freshwater American alligator, a cousin of the crocodile, and they also make unwelcome appearances.
According to the conservation commission, learning to handle these reptiles is relatively easy. A crocodile response agent earns $25 an hours and works as needed. Experience is preferred but not required, and training is provided.
"There is inherent danger handling any live crocodilian," wrote Segelson. "However, our (agents) are taught safe handling and transport techniques to protect them and the crocodile from injury. Consequently, the danger is minimal."
Some residents along the shorelines and canals of the Keys are not happy about the re-emergence of the giant reptiles, which can grow up to 15 feet long.
Mountain lion shot, killed after prowling Santa Monica shopping mall
"Do we wait until a child gets hurt until we do something?" asked Councilman Dave Purdo at a village council meeting in Islamorada on May 30, according to a report by keysnews.com. "Is that what we're waiting for, until a child gets hurt?"
According to the report, state conservation biologist Lindsey Hord told the meeting there has never been a recorded crocodile attack on a human in all of Florida, but he acknowledged that crocodiles present a danger, especially to pets.
He urged people to take precautions such as fencing their dock areas, keeping children and pets away from canals and either not swimming at all or avoiding swimming at night. He also said fishermen should avoid dumping the waste from fish-cleaning along the banks because that tends to attract hungry crocodiles.
"What you are experiencing is the return of the crocodile to its historic range," Lindsey told the council, according to keysnews.com. "We can live with these things. It just requires acceptance of the fact that they are going to be here, and to accommodate that, taking some common sense safety steps."
More content from msnbc.com and NBC News:
- McQueary testifies 'no doubt' he saw Sandusky having sex with boy
- Miami face-eating attack victim awake and talking, doctors say
- Border Patrol agents accused of sex act at Cirque du Soleil
- Coast Guard believes NJ yacht explosion was 'hoax'
- Video: Man with no hands banned from roller coaster
Leave a Comment:
Gosh! I think this is an ideal job the Florida Governor, himself the Honorable Rick Scott, should apply for.
Ooohh Thanks!!!! Here is my Application. I'd give an Arm and A leg for that Job!!
Maximum IQ limits strictly enforced. ;)
It makes you wonder why there is an opening.
Government job .... great benefits ..... working outdoors. Sounds like the kind of employment someone would give an arm and a leg for.
"Do you excel at jobs with a very steep learning curve? Then have we got an offer for you!"
:)
Hate to be a nit-picker, but the picture used with this article looks to me like an American alligator, not a crocodile.
Alligators = darker coloration, broad snout, fewer teeth showing along side the jaws.
Crocodiles = lighter almost grayish coloration, longer, tapered snout with lots of larger teeth seen along side the jaws. ()
You are correct Brian, that's an alligator.
I don't hate to be a nitpicker.
Brian,
Thanks for information.
People who are considering applying for the job should know about these "minor" differences.
Congrats. That was the entry test.
Gators and crocs were there before the crybaby property owners. Don't move into a swamp and then bitch when you get bit.
Actually, the crocs were not there, the gators were...and The Keys are not swamps, for the most part. Crocs like salt water, alligators don't......well, you get the picture
Yes, it's an alligator
why would any one want to protect these creatures,,they should open season on them,,They hunt pets children and unsuspecting swimmers,,they are a danger,,,the only place they need to be is in the amazon...
roger lynn-The Crocs are native, you're the intruder, go back up North!
It's an American Crocodile. Native species... Humans are far more dangerous to children and pets.
American Crocodiles are timid and shy of people and are unlikely to pose much danger to even children (well, I wouldn't let my small child swim with them but if they certainly aren't going to be picked off in their backyards like you make it sound). Maybe you are thinking of alligators?
Alligators and crocodiles are what we call ecological engineers or foundation species (like sea otters, elephants, and beavers), without them we can say bye-bye to a healthy swamp ecosystem.
When sea otters were removed from their habitat, kelp forests were destroyed by sea anemones, and many marine species were adversely affected. When sea otters were brought back, the kelp forests came back.
Every species has an important ecological niche. If you don't like gators and crocs, move to another ecosystem.
Think the state also needs to be hiring some Python Eradication Agents to go after the Rock and other species of pythons that are now beginning to infest areas of South Florida!
Heck, make that All Invasive Species Eradication Agents.
Thanks loads to irresponsible pet owners everywhere!!!
Emily, I think it is you that have it backwards. Crocs are by no means timid, we have one that sits on the corner of our street in a puddle after it rains, and another 8ft'r that climbs up on the docks in people's yards to sun. The dog that was eaten was taken from up on land three feet above the water.
So you want to remove the crocs from their native land and move them to the Amazon? Oh brother.
I am glad I am retired,,this is sure off my job experiences,,I have no idea why they don't send them all back to the amazon where they belong,,where they no longer will be a danger to our pets and children...
Why do you think a native species to Florida belongs in the Everglades exactly? Don't want to deal with crocs? Don't live in the swamp. Those people have options, the reptiles do not.
roger,
They are native to Florida, not the Amazon. Get a clue before you bother to post.
You don't here Louisana folks bitchin' about alligators!! They eat'em, hunt'em, and sell the skins!! PETA stands for People Eating Tasty Animals! lol
Roger -
your "don't live in the swamp" is off the mark. These are American Saltwater Crocodiles. Story has to do with the Keys (maybe some marshland, but not swamp).
Read the article before you get snarky with others . . .
I assume you are using sarchasm as no one could be that ignorant. The Amazon has its own crocodiles, the Orinoco, they don't need or want ours.
Just found my new job! I'm movin' to Florida!
i wouldn't get too excited about the 25 an hour cause of the work as needed part. you may only work 5 hours a week.
Beer is cheap and the weather is mild.
At least he'll have a good idea where NOT to pitch his tent.
I agree with BrianE-3422308 ... the pic is of an ALLIGATOR not a crocodile. You would think a reporter, editor, and or other staff would correct such inconsistencies. No wonder the press gets a bad rap. Lets try and get it right next time Kari.
I'm sorry to dispute you and a lot of others, SoCal, but that is a crocodile baby..I live way down here in the south and have seen way too many baby gators and they are green with yellow stripes! And the pic shows that this baby has a much more narrow snout. They did get it right. Look up alligator babies and check out the images. This pic shows a lighter colored reptile which goes with the American Crocodile babies. and oh yeah, I've seen these as well.
So $25 per hour for wrestling the Crocodile or (in very very small print) your family gets $25 for your feeding the crocodile.
To hell with $25.00 per hour! Just let me skin the ones that are killed or recovered! Anyone got an idea what a croc skin is worth? A helluva a lot more than $25.00!! lol
Wanted: Crocodile Bait. Even Less Experience Needed.
"Must bring own insurance."
You'd think a national news organization would know the difference between an American Crocodile, which this story is about, and an American Aligator, which is featured in the picture accompanying this story.
ITt is not an alligator!!! Period.
It can be difficult for inexperienced people to tell the difference between an American crocodile and the other native crocodilian, the more common American alligator. The following are some of the major differences between the two:
Crocodile
Alligator
Grayish green color
Black in color
Fourth tooth on lower jaw exposed when mouth is closed
Only upper teeth exposed when mouth is closed
Narrow tapered snout
Broad rounded snout
Young are light with dark stripes
Young are dark with yellow stripes
The pic shows an American Crocodile. I've seen so many baby gators and the reptile in the pic is not one. How about the ones that dispute this get some pics of baby alligators and compare them alongside of baby crocs. when you live this far down in the south you kinda get experienced in this stuff.
You cank eep trying, Karen, but you won't have much luck trying to educate the folks on this vine. They never let facts, or experience stand in the way of their preconceptions.
Hi y'all. The author here. The original picture posted was probably an alligator, though the photographer who wrote the caption apparently thought otherwise. The picture of the little croc is an updated version. Thus, those who wrote that we were wrong were right, those who wrote that those who were right were wrong were right too. You see?
Anyway, an aside... American Alligators are also prone to making unwelcome appearances, and the agents answer those calls as well. American alligators and American crocodiles are cousins, both part of the larger group, Crocodilian... That's what I learned.
Well, this is nice, but I'm waiting for the jobs they will be posting for someone to help to get rid of all the big snakes! I'm sure soon they well begin to go after people and their pets as soon as they eat all of the small, and not so small animals, in the everglades. And I just want to say to that dude who thinks all the crocodiles and alligators should be sent back to the Amazon, man to think like that is such a crock!!
As for a danger to kids? Well, they are probably in more danger from predatory humans. Watch where your children are, and what they are doing. If they are so young as to be dinner for an animal and not know better they are probably too young to be wandering near the water to begin with. If you let fido or the family pet loose near an area like that, then the pet owners are more to blame than the animals. Keep in mind, as an occasional annoyance, they were here originally and are natural predators to other nasty swamp animals you don't want over populating. So stop be such sissies, and keep an eye on your kid and pet. Remember you friendly catholic priest is probably more threat than an alligator or crocodile. As for which is which in the picture, most people have no clue what the difference is, and neither does the writer of the story as well, so just usual media goof up along with 90% of people who wouldn't know the difference either.
Too young to be wandering near the water? Near an area like that? Hello, we are talking about ISLANDS. It is called the Florida Keys for a reason, everywhere is "near the water" here, this would probably be the worst place in the US to live if you intend not to be "near the water."
Crocodiles were there before all these whiny, intolerant people. Move back to whatever no account suburb you came from if you don't want to co-exist with the area's native wildlife.
Crocs,alligators,no problem,I will not move back to The Florida Keys until they get rid of the mosquitos and no see ums
To all of you who think this is a baby alligator, you are wrong. A baby alligator has big bumps on it's head behind it's head. They are green with bright yellow stripes and they stay that way for several years. Their snouts are shorter and broader even when babies. Look at the pic, notice how long and narrow the snout is? And the teeth. Baby alligators teeth do not hang out over the side as the crocodile's does. I've seen hundreds of baby gators and they aren't as streamlined as the pic in the article. Wish we could post pics and I could show you the diff. When you live where I do, these things are common as dirt and seen all the time. Alligators that is. I've seen baby crocs as well and they sure look like the pic to me.
They changed the picture because the original picture was an alligator, so now the people who called out their mistake look like idiots.
This has got to be a joke! Especially in an economy where employers are demanding previous experience and references before hiring somebody for burger flipping or landscaping, I kid you not.
I have it on good authority that the real poster for the job was a company that makes prosthetic limbs.
When I first saw the headline I thought it was a request from Jerry Sandusky....I need to get my glasses.
Crocodiles are easier to handle after you shoot them a few times with a shotgun.
I stronly beleive that CPS should be retrained for this job. as most of them distroy children and entire families with thier criminal tactics. THis bould be a suitable placement for them.
No, thank you. I don't suppose there is any workers' compensation for injuries in this line of work?
You'd probably get worker's comp, but I bet no insurance, and probably no help purchasing prosthetics. Sure you won't change your mind, now?