Alligator Seizes Child At Disney World

[jno]

This is pretty appalling. Why did I assume Disney would secure their perimeter? And why didn't they? Millions of families go there.

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jun/15/alligator-two-year-old-child-disney-world-hotel-florida

[murraymints]

sad...little chance of recovery I would imagine

[Svejk]

Very strange story.

[mikey4444]

Its dreadful jno. I have never been to this part of the States but I understand that Florida is infested with bloody alligators. The Ozzies can put up shark-nets on some of the beaches so I don't really understand why something similar couldn't be put around these resorts.

Florida as a holiday destination has never appealed to me before...far too hot, humid and dangerous. Why don't people consider California ? There are lots of theme parks there, as well as Disneyland, and no ruddy alligators !

[Smowball]

I've read this in other news and sm confused. It said the family of 5 were on beach at 9,20pm when alligator struck. So is this a beach in the resort where alligators actually live??

[Old_Geezer]

If they are still looking, maybe I'm jumping to conclusions, but I think most of us are aware what has (most likely) occurred.

Regardless of warning not to enter the water, should visitors been allowed anywhere near the edge if getting dragged in is possible ?

[ummmm]

Smow...I think it's a man made beach at the edge of a lake.

[Smowball]

Oh I see ummm. So alligators can just swim in??

[mikey4444]

Apparently Snowball !

[Smowball]

Blimey! Poor kid!

[BRIGHT SPARK]

A while ago,after prolonged rain,a small pond developed next to Walmart.We noticed a small gathering at the edge of this pond and went to investigate.Three alligators were in the pond..being fed by children..and adults with chicken portions purchased from Walmart.Fences dont cover stupidity.

[Peter Pedant]

// Florida as a holiday destination has never appealed to me before...far too hot, humid and dangerous. // Mikey

well if Disneyland in Floriddy is too dangerous for you, Mikey,
why not chill out in a club like Pulse ?

( joke ! joke ! OK ? )

[jno]

the map on the link shows a lagoon, man-made I think, that opens to the sea. You could put a shark net across the mouth, but of course alligators can walk. None the less, I'm shocked that they had inadequate protective measures, or possibly none. I went there a couple of times in jno jnr's youth and it never occurred to me the place was open to lethal wildlife.

[Smowball]

Exactly Jno - it obviously didn't occur to these parents either : (

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Florida is the best place to learn to water ski...the water is warm ...and you're advised not to fall off.

[naomi24]

Jno, Disneyworld is nowhere near the sea. That’s another lake you can see.

The park covers a vast area – some 40 square miles – so Alton Towers it isn’t! There were signs so I don’t really see what more the owners could have been done except keep visitors away from the lakes altogether. Terrible thing to have happened though.

Mikey, Florida is no more dangerous than California.

[jno]

naomi, thanks, I remember now Orlando is well inland. (I went there by train last time).

But Disney is a multi-billion-dollar corporation. I think they could do a lot more than putting up signs, and they clearly need to. Simply surrounding the place with walls would be a start; I don't know if it would keep the pumas out, but it ought to block alligators. As for those already inside - I see they've killed four of them during the hunt - they're Disney's responsibility, and yes, the lakes themselves need to be fenced off if Disney can't find and remove any predators in them.

[youngmafbog]

Florida is Florida gsters and why do you want to wall it since it is impossible to protect against tge threats there.

Disney compounds are huge.

[youngmafbog]

Something went totally wrong there. Meant to say gators and all.

[237SJ]

Do alligators actually come out of the water and attack people? I read that the child was in the water.

[anotheoldgit]

How absolutely tragic, but I wonder if they had shot the Alligator in an attempt to save the child, they would have received the same condemnation, that was issued out when they shot that gorilla?