Don’t feed the gators: tips, precautions to stay safe Published May 2, 2014 By Brian Shreve Robins Public Affairs ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- The decision on whether or not to approach a large, carnivorous wild animal may seem like a no-brainer. But as Dr. Bob Sargent, Base Natural Resources manager, can attest, it just doesn't seem to be that easy for some folks when it comes to alligators on base. And yes, the gators are out and about. This is the peak season for sightings as the weather warms; April also marked the beginning of their breeding season. During the past three weeks, there have already been four sightings according to Sargent, who added that it's not unusual for up to a dozen alligators to be seen at Robins in a given year - most of them posing no problems whatsoever. For the most part, alligators become a danger when people simply refuse to keep their distance and especially when they attempt to feed them. "Once people start doing that, we've got a problem," said Sargent. "That's when an alligator - in its natural habitat, behaving like it should - starts behaving dangerously. "They're naturally frightened of people, but when we feed them, they begin to see us and assume they're getting a handout. When that occurs, curious personnel and other observers may quickly be reminded that alligators don't make cuddly pets, and they have the instinctive potential to eat pets. Further problems arise when alligators become too acclimated with people and begin to encroach onto the base's residential areas, in which case they must be captured. Besides the obvious risks involved with feeding or toying with an alligator, it's also illegal and against specific base instruction that lists rules in regards to the animals. "Don't feed them; don't approach them," said Sargent. "If you want to take pictures from a distance, then fine, but don't walk to the water's edge. People are often surprised to learn just how fast they are. And, if they see a child, an adult or a pet, they don't differentiate. All they see is potential prey." Alligators that do become nuisances on base are captured by Sargent, who has a state permit allowing him to handle the animals, and relocated about 10 miles downstream on the Ocmulgee River. Any alligator bigger than 4 feet in length requires coordination with the state Department of Natural Resources, which must grant permission before Sargent can catch it. Sergeant said over the years, he has caught and released several "medium-sized" alligators roughly 7- feet long as well as the occasional 10-footer. A couple of years ago, he even captured a 5-footer that had crawled in between the base's gymnasiums. He said alligators will be visible through the fall when cooler weather returns, mostly around small bodies of water and sometimes at the lakes on base. Though the season has just begun, Sargent spotted the largest gator he had ever seen here at an undisclosed location last week, one which was about 12 feet in size, possibly weighing upwards of 600 pounds. "That surprised me. It's very unusual to see an animal that size on base," he said. "The good news is it was in a non-public location actually isolated on the edge of the swamp. It's not here now, but that doesn't mean it won't return." If the alligator does return, Sargent said he will follow protocol by contacting the DNR for permission to harass it, which may include using noise devices to frighten the animal away. "An animal like that is going to attract a lot of attention," he said. "We don't want people out here who have to do day-to-day maintenance to have to worry about their safety with an animal that size."