 Capturing a young American Alligator with a snare for university ecology capture, tag and release research program in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, USA. It takes a team to wrangle a gator! On April 14, 2023, I was excited to be invited to photograph an American Alligator capture-tag-release outing with the UGA Coastal Ecology Lab. When my daughter and I arrived, the action was already in full swing and a gator was being hauled up on the bank for measuring. The team leader, Mark Hoog, uses some heavy-duty fishing tackle to snag the alligator and haul it in for the research team to tag. Having watched a few rounds, most of the alligators were less than willing to participate and gave Hoog quite a workout! As the gator tires and is reeled closer to shore, two researchers stand by with a snare pole and rope to make the final haul-in.  Capturing a young American Alligator with a snare for university ecology capture, tag and release research program in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, USA. Once upon the shore, one of the team sneaks up behind the gators and quickly lands upon its neck and presses the mouth shut. Almost immediately, the other team members take a pre-determined seat along the alligator’s length. Right away, the mouth is safely taped shut and the alligator’s legs are lifted off the ground to prevent it from rolling. Thankfully, most of the gators are fairly tired from fighting in the water that too much resistance isn’t encountered. Once safely restrained, team members measure each alligator’s length and girth in several different areas. A plastic cattle tag is attached to the tail and a labelling code is cut into the scales along the tail. On some occasions, blood is drawn for genetic studies and GPS trackers are attached to the alligators’ backs. Once all the data is carefully recorded, the gators are safely released back into the water.  Measuring an American Alligator for a capture tag release research program by the UGA Coastal Ecology Lab.  Tagging American Alligator tail with ID tag number, capture tag release research program  Tagging American Alligator tail with ID tag number, capture tag release research program  Tagging American Alligator tail with ID tag number, capture tag release research program  Close up of an American Alligator in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia
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 Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message  American Alligator s tail tagged with an ID cattle tag for university ecology research program in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, USA. April 14, 2023 ©williamwisephoto.com During my spring 2023 Okefenokee trip, I had the pleasure of being invited to photograph the UGA Coastal Ecology Lab as they captured, tagged and released alligators along the Suwannee River Sill in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Each gator captured is measured multiple ways, blood is drawn for genetic studies, and each is tagged. In case the numbered tag falls out over time, a system of identification is also used by cutting off scales from the tail.  Large American Alligator with ID tag on tail, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. University ecology research capture tag and release program. |
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In December 1993 I came to know the Designer and Creator of this wonderful planet and its creatures: Jesus Christ.
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