A congregation of alligators was spotted over the weekend at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Marty Welch, a refuge boater, captured the remarkable sight while en route to Billy’s Lake. The video shows numerous alligators swimming in a canal as Welch’s boat moves slowly through the water.
Officials at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge say key points need addressing to clarify and correct some common misconceptions viewers have about the video.
First, the video was recorded this past weekend. Second, contrary to some fears, there has never been an alligator attack in the 87 years since Okefenokee became a National Wildlife Refuge. This gathering behavior, while unusual, is completely normal during periods of low water levels when food sources become concentrated.
If you encounter a large number of alligators, the best practice is to give them plenty of space to move away. Alligators play a crucial role in the ecosystem. As a keystone species, their presence supports numerous other species.
Alligators create “gator holes,” which are deeper areas that retain water longer, providing essential habitats for many other species. The loss of keystone species like alligators could lead to significant trouble for other wildlife in the ecosystem.
Here is the video that has bene going viral in Georgia:
