‘Please be cautious.’ A crocodile has taken up residence at a Florida golf course
Don’t fancy playing golf with dangerous wildlife lurking nearby?
Then may we advise you not to book a game at the Country Club in North Palm Beach.
According to the Village of North Palm Beach, an American crocodile has set up camp in the ponds there and doesn’t appear to want to leave.
A picture of the reptile accompanies the post, and it’s a rather sizable creature. In the photo, it’s not in the ponds, but smack on the green, jaw open.
The village correctly says removing it would be illegal, so any golfer who visits the club will just have to learn to live with this water hazard. Visitors are asked to “please be cautious.”
Luckily, the croc isn’t likely to bother anyone. According to the Fish & Wildlife Commission, American crocodiles, federally listed as an endangered species in 1975, are “shy and reclusive” and attacks on humans are “extremely rare.”
“Occasionally American crocodiles will come into developed areas, but often quickly move on,” the agency’s website says. “Even if a crocodile remains in the area, there is no reason to be alarmed. People can safely coexist with American crocodiles by following a few common sense safety tips.”
A call to the golf course asking for more details (and possibly even a name) was not returned Wednesday.
This story was originally published November 10, 2021 at 12:57 PM with the headline "‘Please be cautious.’ A crocodile has taken up residence at a Florida golf course."
