HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – From the grass to the lakes — and endless rounds — you never know what you’ll see at Orangebrook Golf Club in Hollywood.
“We saw iguanas and sunshine,” said Sandy Roark, a visiting golfer.
Holly Boyko, another golfer, added, “That’s what we loved.”
But a wayward crocodile is the talk of the course.
Kenny Szuch, its director of golf, remarked on the diverse wildlife: “I think it adds a little character to the place. You know we have iguanas, crocs, coyotes, raccoons. Yeah, Orangebrook Zoo and Golf Club.”
Szuch said the crocodile has been living at the course for about two years, growing in size since it first appeared. How it arrived remains a mystery.
“If somebody didn’t drop him off, how’d he get out here in this sea of I-95? Concrete jungle,” he speculated.
The estimated five-foot crocodile has been seen around the 18 holes, often lounging near the third hole on the west lake. This has raised concerns among area residents.
One Local 10 News viewer wrote, “The crocodile frequently comes onto the shore near a walking path used daily by residents, including families with children and pet owners,” and expressed a desire for its removal.
“If you get anywhere near it, it just dives in the water. I don’t think anyone has gotten within 100 yards of it,” Szuch noted, describing the reptile as skittish with no reported incidents.
The plan now is to wait until the crocodile grows larger before contacting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for its removal.
“They said at eight feet, give them a call and they’ll come out, catch it, and release it in the wild,” Szuch said.
An FWC spokesperson said the agency has not received any reports about the crocodile.
The agency provided information about the species:
American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) are native to south Florida and the Keys and were federally listed as an endangered species in 1975. Florida crocodile populations have since increased from a few hundred individuals to as many as 2,000 adult and sub-adult crocodiles today. American crocodiles are currently classified as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. While American crocodiles are found in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, Florida is the only place in the United States where they can be seen in the wild.
Conflicts between American crocodiles and people are extremely rare in Florida, with only two bite incidents having been documented in the state.
Due to population recovery efforts and the growing number of people living and spending time on or near Florida’s waters, crocodile sightings have increased in recent years.
By taking simple precautionary measures when in or near the water, people can reduce the chances of conflicts with crocodiles:
1. Keep a safe distance if you see a crocodile. If someone is concerned about a crocodile, they should call the FWC’s toll-free Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286), and we will work with you to accurately assess the situation and respond appropriately.
2. Keep pets on a leash and small children away from the water’s edge, especially during nighttime hours, to avoid cases of mistaken identity. Pets often resemble crocodiles’ natural prey.
3. Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours and without your pet. Crocodiles are most active between dusk and dawn.
4. Never feed a crocodile – it is illegal and dangerous. When fed, crocodiles can lose their natural wariness of people and instead learn to associate people with the availability of food. This includes indirect feeding, which can happen when feeding other wildlife or when fishing or improperly disposing of fish scraps.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission