Deadly Florida alligator attacks prompt proposal for federal wildlife rules study

Recent fatal alligator attacks in Florida, along with a rise in human-gator interactions, have sparked a proposal in Congress to study the impact of federal wildlife regulations on managing dangerous animals.

The deaths of 71-year-old Steven Hamilton and 31-year-old Brittany Clark, as well as a nonfatal attack in Marion County, have highlighted the dangers posed by alligators, which live in all 67 Florida counties.

Florida congressman Greg Steube has introduced the "GATOR Act," which calls for a federal study to determine whether current wildlife protections create obstacles to managing alligators near homes and private property. The proposal would not immediately change Florida's existing nuisance alligator program.

Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) says the state has a healthy alligator population, and nuisance alligators are removed only if they pose a threat to people, pets, or property.

Environmental issues, such as this year’s unprecedented drought, have caused alligators to move from their ...