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Glenn Capdepon (right) and Brandon Jackson with two large alligators
taken in Louisiana's 2006 fall harvest. The alligator on the left
measured 12 feet, 6 inches, and had been released to the wild at 44
inches in August 1993 as part of the state's egg "ranching" program.
Photo by Jeff Thomas (courtesy of Glenn Capdepon)
LDWF biologists said the alligator grew well over eight inches a
year in the 13 years between release and recapture. It was released
about eight miles north of where it was later harvested.
In most years, LDWF marks some 40,000 to 50,000 juvenile alligators
at farms around the state to be released in wetland areas. These
controlled releases ensure population recruitment for future
generations. Like duck bands recovered by duck hunters, the web tags
reported by alligator trappers help department biologists monitor
alligator growth, survival and dispersal.
"We encourage all trappers to report any marked alligators they
harvest," said Elsey. "Even if the foot/web tag has fallen out with
growth of the alligator, it is still helpful to the department to
receive information on the tail notches on the alligators, which
indicate the year of release."
LDWF has managed the state's American alligator population since the
1960s. Over the years, carefully designed research projects have led
to successful "sustained use" harvest programs of wild sub-adult and
adult alligators, as well as alligator eggs which can be collected
by licensed alligator farmers from suitable wetland habitats
statewide.
These programs benefit the many Louisiana citizens who choose to
participate, including private landowners, alligator trappers,
alligator farmers, alligator buyers, dealers and their employees. In
2005, the value of alligator hides and meat was approximately $40
million. Despite the devastating hurricanes of 2005, the resilient
alligator remains a valuable resource for our state. Conservative
harvest quotas were set for the 2006 season after careful review of
survey data.
Louisiana alligator trappers have caught dozens of re-traps in the
10-foot size class, and several re-traps in the 11-foot size class;
but the Tensas Parish alligator is the first to attain 12 feet in
length.
One of the most important parts of the alligator program involves
the mandatory release of alligators from farms to the wild. Because
alligator farmers are allowed to collect eggs from the wild, which
helps avoid natural mortality factors such as flooding, predation
and desiccation, LDWF must replace the portion of juvenile
alligators to the wild that department estimates would have survived
on their own had the eggs not been collected.
Extensive research suggests this is about 14 percent of the eggs
hatched. Thus, the alligator farmer may keep 86 percent of the
hatchlings obtained from collected eggs, grow these to harvestable
size and sell the valuable hides and meat. The other 14 percent must
be released back to the wetlands from which the eggs were collected
within two years of collection, when the alligators are around 4 or
5 feet in length.
In addition to citizens who participate in the harvest programs,
many non-consumptive users benefit from the wild alligator resource.
The mystique and aesthetic value of seeing a large wild alligator is
of value to locals and visitors to our state. Many tourists and
photographers travel long distances for the opportunity to get a
glimpse of this unique species in the wild.
The LDWF alligator program has evolved from the first small, very
limited, wild harvest back in 1972, to the highly regulated
multi-million dollar industry it is now. LDWF hopes to continue
improving the alligator program for the future benefit of
Louisiana's citizens.
Ruth M. Elsey is a Biologist Manager in the Office of Wildlife, Fur
and Refuge Division. An LDWF employee since 1991, she works in the
department's alligator management and research programs.
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