This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/monster-alligator-filmed-ambling-around-florida-golf-course-a7057131.html
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| 'Monster' alligator filmed strolling around golf course in Florida | |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| A giant alligator has been filmed strolling across a golf course in Florida, to the horror of a group of golfers. | A giant alligator has been filmed strolling across a golf course in Florida, to the horror of a group of golfers. |
| “That is the biggest freakin’ alligator I have ever seen in my life,” Charles Helms was heard saying as he recorded the huge reptile. | “That is the biggest freakin’ alligator I have ever seen in my life,” Charles Helms was heard saying as he recorded the huge reptile. |
| He had been playing at a course in Palmetto when the group spotted the alligator getting up and lumbering towards a lake near the third hole. | He had been playing at a course in Palmetto when the group spotted the alligator getting up and lumbering towards a lake near the third hole. |
| “Jesus, that must be 15ft long,” a man could be heard saying behind the camera, with another adding: “You gotta be kidding me.” | “Jesus, that must be 15ft long,” a man could be heard saying behind the camera, with another adding: “You gotta be kidding me.” |
| As another man filming its progress past a bunker stepped nearer to the alligator, its size became apparent. | As another man filming its progress past a bunker stepped nearer to the alligator, its size became apparent. |
| “You ever seen anything that big?” Mr Helms could be heard saying. “Holy c**p, that is a monster.” | “You ever seen anything that big?” Mr Helms could be heard saying. “Holy c**p, that is a monster.” |
| Seemingly unaware of its audience, the alligator continued walking slowly across the course until it disappeared from sight. | Seemingly unaware of its audience, the alligator continued walking slowly across the course until it disappeared from sight. |
| Staff at the Buffalo Creek Golf Club said the reptile was a common feature and had become popular with customers. | Staff at the Buffalo Creek Golf Club said the reptile was a common feature and had become popular with customers. |
| Wendy Schofield, who works at its pro shop, told News 3: “He doesn't bother anybody and they don't bother him, he's like a mascot for the course. | Wendy Schofield, who works at its pro shop, told News 3: “He doesn't bother anybody and they don't bother him, he's like a mascot for the course. |
| "He has been here for a very, very long time, he's not new at all…the word has spread that this is a great place to come and play. He is the highlight, but we are worth the price too." | "He has been here for a very, very long time, he's not new at all…the word has spread that this is a great place to come and play. He is the highlight, but we are worth the price too." |
| American alligators reside mostly in the freshwater rivers, lakes, swamps, and marshes of Florida and Louisiana, living for up to 50 years. | American alligators reside mostly in the freshwater rivers, lakes, swamps, and marshes of Florida and Louisiana, living for up to 50 years. |
| Males average 10 to 15ft (3 to 4.6m) in length and can weigh 1,000lb (453kg), while females grow to a maximum of about 9.8ft (3m). | Males average 10 to 15ft (3 to 4.6m) in length and can weigh 1,000lb (453kg), while females grow to a maximum of about 9.8ft (3m). |
| The largest American alligator ever reported was supposedly 19.8ft (6m) long, although there have been doubts about the claim. | The largest American alligator ever reported was supposedly 19.8ft (6m) long, although there have been doubts about the claim. |
| The carnivores feed mainly on fish, turtles, snakes, and small mammals but a hungry gator will eat “just about anything”, according to the National Geographic, including pets and sometimes humans. | The carnivores feed mainly on fish, turtles, snakes, and small mammals but a hungry gator will eat “just about anything”, according to the National Geographic, including pets and sometimes humans. |
| Elsewhere in Florida, police divers recovered a human body being eaten by a pair of alligators on Monday. | Elsewhere in Florida, police divers recovered a human body being eaten by a pair of alligators on Monday. |
| The gruesome discovery was made by fishermen in the Everglades, near the town of Southwest Ranches, sparking an operation including armed police and alligator trappers. | The gruesome discovery was made by fishermen in the Everglades, near the town of Southwest Ranches, sparking an operation including armed police and alligator trappers. |
| Police told the Sun Sentinel newspaper the body appeared to have been in the water for a long time and the cause of death was unknown. | Police told the Sun Sentinel newspaper the body appeared to have been in the water for a long time and the cause of death was unknown. |