Credit: H. Michael Miley, FlickrMore than 400 alligators have been removed from Walt Disney World Resort after a fatal incident on property.
In June 2016, 2-year-old Lane Graves was fatally attacked by an alligator while playing in “ankle deep or less in the water” along the shore of Seven Seas Lagoon near Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
The tragedy prompted Disney to install additional barriers and warning signs around resort waterways, while the Graves family later established a foundation dedicated to pediatric organ donation and supporting families with critically ill children in Lane’s memory.
Alligators are a common sight across Central Florida, where lakes, ponds, canals, and wetlands provide ideal habitats for the species. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission estimates that the state is home to roughly 1.3 million alligators, making encounters with the reptiles an everyday reality for residents and businesses alike.
Disney has long worked with wildlife officials to manage alligator activity across its property. In the eight years leading up to 2016, state-contracted trappers removed an average of 23 alligators from Walt Disney World annually.
That figure has increased significantly following Lane Graves’ death.
Disney Increases Alligator Removal Efforts
A total of 83 alligators were removed from Disney property in 2016, and another 414 have been removed in the decade since (via News 6).
The removals are carried out through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program (SNAP). Under the program, alligators believed to pose a threat to people, pets, or property can be removed, though smaller animals may also be taken if they are found in unsuitable locations.
Disney has also implemented a range of additional safety measures around its waterways. Fencing, boulder barriers, and warning signs have been installed near Seven Seas Lagoon and other waterfront areas, while Cast Members receive ongoing training related to wildlife sightings and guest safety.
āIn keeping with our strong commitment to safety, we continue to reinforce procedures related to reporting sightings and interactions with wildlife, and work closely with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to remove or relocate certain wildlife from our property in accordance with state regulations,ā a Walt Disney World spokesperson told News 6 in 2021.
Guests have previously reported spotting alligators at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, near the now-closed Liberty Belle Riverboat, and under a bridge at Disney’s Beach Club.
Beyond Disney World, more than 8,700 alligators deemed a threat to people, pets, or property were removed across Florida through the state’s nuisance alligator program in 2024 alone. The state pays licensed trappers a $50 stipend for each alligator captured, though many also generate revenue from the animal’s meat and hide.
Rather than relocating nuisance alligators, wildlife officials typically remove them permanently, as the reptiles often attempt to return to their original habitat. Some are sent to zoos and animal exhibits, while others ā including those recently captured on Walt Disney World property ā are transferred to licensed alligator farms and private hunting preserves.
Wildlife experts note that these removal efforts have not affected Florida’s overall alligator population. Once listed as an endangered species, the American alligator has made a significant recovery through conservation efforts and is now considered one of the state’s most successful wildlife management stories.
Other Wildlife Encounters Have Made Headlines
Alligators are far from the only wild animals to make an appearance at Walt Disney World. In September 2023, a Florida black bear wandered into Magic Kingdom, prompting Disney to temporarily close portions of Frontierland, Liberty Square, and Adventureland while wildlife officials worked to safely capture and relocate the animal.
The bear was ultimately relocated to the Ocala National Forest. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said the animal was likely searching for food (via NPR), a common behavior during the fall months when bears become more active.
No laughing matter! #OBX doesn’t have all the bears, so does @WaltDisneyWorld. Nicole Hollowell spotted this one today in the 1700 loop/Hickory Hollow at Fort Wilderness!
No laughing matter! #OBX doesn't have all the bears, so does @WaltDisneyWorld. Nicole Hollowell spotted this one today in the 1700 loop/Hickory Hollow at Fort Wilderness! pic.twitter.com/Mtt9zbuf5v
— SamWalkerOBXNews.comšš»š°š„š¦ (@SamWalkerOBX) June 15, 2023
A bear was previously spotted at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground in the 1700 loop/Hickory Hollow area of the campsite.
Guests have also found themselves face-to-face with opossums and raccoons while at Disney World in the past.
