Alligator sightings in Florida are nothing new, but encounters between humans and wildlife are becoming more frequent as development encroaches on natural habitats. One recent incident in Key Largo underscored this growing trend.
What’s happening?
Deputies from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office were called to a home in the Pirates Cove neighborhood near Mile Marker 98 in Key Largo on Jan. 31, after residents found a large alligator swimming in their pool, reported Fox 35.
Photos and videos shared on social media showed the deputies removing the large reptile from the residents’ backyard pool.
While officials haven’t confirmed how the alligator ended up in the pool, these kinds of encounters are becoming increasingly common as human expansion continues to reshape ecosystems.
Why is this important?
Although gator sightings are part of life in Florida, incidents like this highlight a growing concern: Human-wildlife interactions are on the rise due to habitat destruction, climate change , and urban sprawl. As wetlands shrink and natural waterways become more fragmented , animals are forced into residential areas in search of food, water, and shelter…