Lane Graves.Photo: Orange County Sheriff’s Office
In all, Disney, with help from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission contractors, removed about 250 alligators from company-owned areas, the outlet reported.
A spokesperson for the FWC told theSentinelthat many of the alligators were transported to farms, animal exhibits and zoos. Others have had their meat and skin sold after being euthanized, and trappers are paid $30 for each of the reptiles they catch.
Disney and FWC did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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A search for the boy eventually led to the discovery ofhis bodyabout 16 hours later.
“As a parent and a grandparent, my heart goes out to the Graves family during this time of devastating loss,” Disney’s then-CEO, Bob Iger, said in a statement at the time, according toCNN. “My thoughts and prayers are with them, and I know everyone at Disney joins me in offering our deepest sympathies.”
Alligators arenative to Floridaand have lived in the state’s marshes, swamps, rivers and lakes for centuries, according to FWC. The creature is a large part of Floridian life. According to theKey West Aquarium, Gainesville — home of the Florida Gators college football team — has the largest population of alligators in the United States.Gatorland, a theme park dedicated to alligators, is also located just a short drive from Disney World.
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Experts told theSentinelthat removing the gators from Disney’s resorts should have little effect on the population in the state.
source: people.com
