The Power for Good September 5, 2022
Posted by nrhatch in Animals, Health & Wellness, Humor, Nature.trackback
Our electric company, Florida Power & Light, is a force for good.
In addition to implementing innovative programs to provide energy to homes using sustainable solar as well as programs which allow consumers to recharge EV’s overnight for a low monthly rate (less than the price of a tank of gas), FPL is helping to protect the American Crocodile:
The American crocodile is primarily a coastal species that ranges from Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and even into South Florida. They are typically a gray/green color and can be found in the fresh/brackish/salt water of river estuaries, coastal lagoons and mangrove swamps where they feed on fish, crustaceans, small mammals, reptiles and birds.
Throughout much of its range, the American crocodile was listed as endangered. FPL partners with federal and state conservation agencies to help with crocodile restoration efforts, resulting in the species being downlisted to threatened status. At [the] Turkey Point Power Plant in southern Miami-Dade County, [FPL has] worked for years to help this species rebound. In fact, the 2021 American crocodile nesting season at the plant resulted in a record-setting 565 hatchlings, establishing a historic success in FPL’s management of the local crocodile population.
This video is a pleasant 7-minute interlude showing stunning scenery and heroic efforts . . . by man AND by mama beast!
Go mom!
To read more: FPL ~ American Crocodile
On a related note, I read a somewhat bizarre news story this week about someone whose emotional support animal is . . . an alligator!
I kid you not!
No, not a metallic sculpture in the garden.
And not a fluffy gator made of sand, either.
A real live alligator.
With sharp claws and sharper teeth!
Joseph Henney’s emotional support animal WallyGator goes with him almost everywhere, from the grocery store to walks in the park. They hug each other and sleep in the same bed. WallyGator is an alligator.
“When he turns his nose toward you, that means he expects a kiss,” said Henney, 69, who goes by Joie (pronounced “Joe”) and lives in Jonestown, Pa., about two hours from Philadelphia. “He’s super sweet-natured.”
To read more: His emotional support animal is an Alligator.
OK, so, I would have to be severely disturbed before I would CHOOSE an alligator, crocodile, or venomous snake as my emotional support animal.
Just saying.
How about you?
If you needed emotional support, could you place your trust in a reptilian crocodilian?
Or would you prefer to cuddle up with a cute kitten?
Do tell.
See you later, Al E Gator. In a while, Crocodile.
Comments
Sorry comments are closed for this entry
Spirit Lights The Way 
They seem so prehistoric. So incredibly Uncuddly. Those sharp teeth and claws. I wonder if one day that kiss will make his lose a nose.
That seems a reasonable concern and one shared by several of the commentators who weighed in on the original story. Wild animals have instincts that are not easily tamed. Once we invite them into our lives (and beds!), we are giving away our first line of defense ~> distance!
I totally agree. 🐊
I thought crocodiles were home in Africa with alligators the species in Florida. Obviously I’m not up on my reptiles (and they are not getting in my bed either!).
There are crocodiles found in the US but only at the very south of Florida. Also, they stay in salt water.
Alligators range much farther north ~ GA, SC, LA, MI, AL ~ and they enjoy bathing in fresh water. A 77-year old woman got bitten on the hand by an 8 foot long alligator yesterday in Lakewood Ranch which is about 20 minutes from here.
We just watched a show on Cuba’s wildlife last night. It seems that the Cuban Crocodile (a different species) is having to deal with American Crocodiles coming in to mate with the females which is threatening the species.
It’s always something, eh?
I knew I’d get a lesson. This info will be helpful for Jeopardy question if the category is reptiles that like to eat you.
What a great category, Kate. Jeopardy could use you to create a bit more levity on the show!
Yay for Florida Electric Company! Great how they are helping the crocodile.
As far as Wally the alligator goes, he may be super sweet BUT he is wild and that super sweetness could go away anytime!
Agreed x 80 (the # of teeth in WallyGator’s mouth)!
FPL seems to be a forward thinking company ~ concerned not just with making $’s today, but also with making a better tomorrow.
If you needed emotional support, could you place your trust in a reptilian crocodilian?
HELL NO! Give me cuddly please.
That seems to be the consensus, Ally Bean!
I’d rather adopt a STUFFED animal as my imaginary friend than a reptile for “emotional support.” 😀
Great share! Not so sure about the alligator cuddling ….. it makes you wonder about reincarnation though!
Ha! Maybe WallyGator’s his alter-spirit! 😀
What a bizarre story! I can’t imagine hanging around an alligator. I wouldn’t want to be shopping for groceries when he comes in with WallyGator.
No argument there, Nicki. I expect some people benefit from having “emotional support animals” as constant companions . . . but I don’t think they should inflict them on the rest of us.
Call me a cynic, but I expect WallyGator is more “attention getting device” than emotional support animal.
That makes a lot of sense. Wally couldn’t be very cuddly.
I’ve stroked the back of a baby alligator, but even at that age the gator didn’t seem “cuddly.”
Good on the power company for doing good!
I never thought of crocodiles as cuddly, so they could never be my emotional support animal!
It’s likely that part of the benefit of emotional support animals lies in having something to care for (instead of focusing solely on your own needs, concerns, worries, etc).
If so, an emotional support plant might be an option for those with green thumbs.
I thought I had heard everything when it came to emotional support animals, but I think this is the last stop on the turnpike. In no way, shape, or form am I getting near an alligator let alone asking it to help me relax. Kudos to your power company, for not only trying to keep the lights on, but serving as a bright light towards trying to restore the croc species.
Ha! Love that expression ~ “last stop on the turnpike!” I’ve never heard it before.
Given his lack of common sense, I suspect Joe’s “cornbread” might not be done in the middle. 😀
He sleeps with his emotional support Alligator? Eegads! LOL! This beats out my former favorite support animal, which was a turkey. But I’m thrilled to read about the power company taking a proactive stance on protecting the Florida ‘gators. Good news from a power company. Don’t hear that every day! 🙂
FP&L’s work toward sustainable energy via solar power and expanding affordable recharging of electric vehicles is stellar too. I like when companies do well for the shareholders while doing good for all.
And LOL about the turkey! Gobble. Gobble.