South Carolina house complicated holds vigil for resident alligator killed after complaints

DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. — A number of dozen folks gathered Saturday at an house complicated alongside the South Carolina coast to recollect a longtime resident who died the day earlier than — an alligator named Walter who sunned beside a pond on the property for greater than a decade.

Walter was killed on the property after a number of complaints over the previous week, the administration of Daniel Island Village informed NBC affiliate WCBD of Charleston in an announcement.

Neighbors within the house complicated close to Charleston mentioned Walter had been hanging across the complicated for greater than a decade, not solely incomes a reputation however a bit fame.

Vigil organizer Rebekah Cole informed the TV station that individuals with pets and kids may stroll proper previous Walter and never be bothered.

“He was a bit of the neighborhood. Although he was a cold-blooded animal, all of us liked him and it tore us all up,” Cole mentioned.

In a February 2024 Fb put up, Daniel Island Village marked hotter climate after the winter chill with a photograph of the alligator hanging out by a pond.

“Daylight financial savings time is coming to an finish! It’s getting hotter out! Daniel Island Village is on the verge of a wonderful blossom! The proof is within the pudding, WALTER is OUT!!” the put up learn.

Alligators are a threatened and federally protected species, however state legislation permits permits to be given to kill or take away them in the event that they threaten folks.

At the least six folks have been killed by alligators in South Carolina previously decade.

The house complicated has been issued a allow the previous two years to take away an alligator in the event that they resolve it’s a nuisance they usually can rent a contractor to do away with the animal, the South Carolina Division of Pure Assets mentioned in an announcement.

The assertion final week from property managers mentioned Walter’s loss of life adopted state legislation and “information about his passing may be distressing and [we] sincerely admire your understanding.”

“Sooner or later, please proceed to abide by posted signage about not feeding wildlife, together with alligators,” the property administration mentioned. “For everybody’s security, when you observe displaced wildlife in our neighborhood, please don’t intervene.”