By Steve Rhodes
“Chicago Animal Care and Control will be closing the east half of the Humboldt Park starting Sunday night in an effort to humanely capture the alligator discovered July 9 in the lagoon,” the Sun-Times reports.
“It is likely that residents who have been watching from the lagoon banks and paths in the park have been influencing the animal’s behavior.” Kelley Gandurski, executive director of Chicago Animal Care and Control said in a statement. “We are taking these steps to in an attempt to create an environment that lends to the animal’s safe capture so we can quickly reopen the entire park to activity.
Also, Alligator Bob has been sent packing.
“In addition to the closure, CACC has hired Frank Robb, an alligator expert and owner of Crocodilian Specialist Services in St. Augustine, Florida, the agency said. Robb arrived in Chicago July 14 and immediately began assessing the park and lagoon. Robb, CACC, The Chicago Park District, Chicago police as well as other participating agencies are taking steps to ensure the park is as calm and quiet as possible, which will increase the chances of capturing the alligator.”
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Letter to the Sun-Times from longtime animal rights activist Brien Comerford:
There is nothing amusing about a traumatized alligator trying to stay alive in a Humboldt Park lagoon. All last week, the hapless creature was in dire straights because of the reckless, careless and negligent humans who got rid of it.
Too many morally challenged people obtain possession of exotic mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish before opting to kill or abandon them. They are animal abusers. The alligator expert and conservationists who tirelessly strived last week to humanely save the alligator merit commendation. Conversely, those who mistreat alligators and other exotic animals deserve full-blown condemnation.
Comerford is almost wholly right. There is something a little funny about an alligator showing up in the Humboldt Park lagoon. And I suspect nearly everyone having fun with it wished nothing but the best for the alligator – some of us even kind of rooting for it to evade capture, though capture is what is needed to provide it with a safe, healthy environment. We’re all rooting for the gator. The gator could run for mayor. The gator is a uniter, not a divider.
But Comerford’s point is extremely well-taken. We should not forget that the circumstances that led to the alligator into the lagoon are likely abhorrent.
Alligator Frank
Frank Robb describes himself as a “self-employed alligator trapping agent” on his LinkedIn page.
Also:
I have 24 years of experience dealing with wildlife . . . Human Crocodile Conflict Group member, Pine Island Preservation Board Member.
I have been part of educational programs for federal, state, city and county governments, schools.
Have done research involving Gopher Tortoise’s and controlled fire.
Viruses affecting the wild alligator population in Northern Brevard County.
Have helped with beach Sea Turtle Nesting surveys.
Have provided herp surveys for the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Programs, in order to update their land management plans since 2012.
Have worked hands on with alligators as a trapping agent for 24 years, allowing me to be involved in several on-going research projects.
GPS and GIS work, tracking of animals and changes in in topography . . .
He comes to us from Cocoa, Florida.
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#GOP
CBS morning show: “Critics” say Trump’s attacks “are racist.” NBC: “Some have branded his comments as racist.” But ABC’s @GMA and CNN’s @NewDay called it what it is: “The president’s racist attack.”
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) July 15, 2019
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Maryland Congressman @RepAndyHarrisMD tells me President Trump’s tweets this weekend were “clearly not racist” and that “he could have meant go back to the district they came from–to the neighborhood they came from.” Full interview https://t.co/avXhiW2uBP
— Bryan Nehman (@BryanNehman) July 15, 2019
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Why do Republicans claim Donald Trump’s not a racist when that’s the thing they like most about him?
— Middle Age Riot (@middleageriot) July 14, 2019
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New on the Beachwood . . .
The Beachwood Radio Sports Hour #260: Cubs Sweep Problems Under Rug
Reality check! Plus: Player Notes (Alzolay to Zagunis). And: Hate The Grate.
By me solo, Coach out of town.
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Coin Is The Lord Of The Realm
Don’t pity the White Sox. In The White Sox Report.
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ChicagoReddit
Education requirements to be a paramedic in the city? from r/chicago
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ChicagoGram
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ChicagoTube
“Chicago” / Roy Ayers
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BeachBook
The World-Class Photography Of Ebony And Jet Is Up For Sale.
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TweetWood
A sampling.
.@John_Kass Kass three days ago: “The only card the left has is the race card.” https://t.co/awHquLaFoA
— Beachwood Reporter (@BeachwoodReport) July 14, 2019
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If moderate suburban voters will have trouble deciding between a racist rapist and someone who wants health care for all, we’ve got larger problems than who the Dem nominee will be. https://t.co/KmqQfGzMvv
— Beachwood Reporter (@BeachwoodReport) July 14, 2019
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Why Does WaPo See Black as an ‘Identity’–but Not Multi-Millionaire? – https://t.co/Hpvmgsv2dY via @commondreams
— Beachwood Reporter (@BeachwoodReport) July 15, 2019
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OTD in Music History via Songfacts: pic.twitter.com/8hm29IMhTG
— Beachwood Reporter (@BeachwoodReport) July 15, 2019
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The Beachwood McRibTipLine: Donate your car today.
Posted on July 15, 2019