Dear Residents,

It has come to our attention that the community has questions on when is it appropriate to remove alligators from Renaissance. The Renaissance Community Development District has put together the following nuisance alligator removal procedure to help give everyone a better understanding.

When is an alligator considered a “nuisance alligator”?
Generally, alligators may be considered a nuisance when they are at least four feet in length and pose a threat to people or their pets or property.
Alligators less than four feet in length are naturally fearful of people and are not generally capable of eating anything larger than a small turtle. They are too small to be a threat to small pets and pose no threat to people. They are typically not dangerous to people unless someone attempts to handle them. Also, they are common in Florida, and the mere presence of a small alligator is not cause for concern, even when they turn up in places where people may not expect to see them such as retention ponds and drainage ditches.
However, occasionally alligators less than four feet in length are legitimate problems and must be addressed.
If an alligator less than four feet in length approaches people and does not retreat if approached, or is in a location that is not natural, then follow this link to contact Community Field Services. CFS will then contact the Nuisance Alligator Hotline and will give them permission to come onto the property to remove the alligator.

What happens to nuisance alligators when they are removed by trappers?
When a nuisance alligator trapper removes an alligator, that alligator becomes the property of the trapper (except in the case of an alligator bite on a human). In most cases, the alligator is terminated and processed for its hide and meat. The is the primary compensation for the nuisance alligator trapper. In a few cases, a nuisance alligator is sold live to an alligator farm, animal exhibit, or zoo. The trapper is usually reimbursed with an amount equivalent to the market value of the alligator. However, the demand for live alligators by these establishments is low.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the removal of alligators, please feel free to contact Community Field Services at 239-284-6662.

Thank you,
Chris Bezaire
Doug Dickey
George Pattee
Linda Stuart

Renaissance Community Development District Board of Supervisors