I want to throw this one out there to
@WDW1974: Budget cuts? We've known for years that the property was methodical in removing gators that were generally 4' and longer. In the news stories that have been circulating over the past day, there's a general theme of cast members noticing the gator problem and clear disregard from management. Your own witnessed incident is yet another glimpse.
Are we potentially seeing a greater number oflarger gators because Disney simply isn't relocating them as they once were? Of course none of us have internal documentation and direct eyes on the budget, but with the track record of stripping costs everywhere over the years, you do wonder if they simply don't do the relocations as they once did.
I've theorized this as well.
Since a death is involved, everything about this process needs a through review:
1. Who has the ultimate oversight over this? Florida Fish & Wildlife? Reedy Creek? Any Federal agency?
2. Who does Animal Control report to. TDO, or Reedy Creek?
3. What role does their Animal Control have? Do they move ANY animals? If they move any, WHY are they doing it (and not an outside professional or wildlife official)? Is TDO and/or Reedy Creek legally required to fulfill this function? Or do they do so to minimize outside government/regulatory interactions/interference? And if someone outside the bubble has ultimate authority, are they improperly ceding too much control over to TDO/Reedy Creek?
4. How proactive is the Animal Control department? Do they regularly scout out waterways looking for potential problems? Or do they wait for issues to be reported?
5. When if there's one that they need to call, who do they call in? FF&W? A private trapper? (I remember a line in Unofficial Guide saying Gatorland comes in). Is there a cost to this? Is there a 'service contract' arrangement with a simple annual fee? Or is each call 'time and materials'? If it has to be called in, who approves the work order,
and does the person ever deny the work order due to budget reasons?
6. What are the statistics on gators moved this year? Last year at this time? Year before? And is this department allotted a set budget? If so, how rigid is such budget? And has the budget decreased? How would a chart of 'gators moved' look overlapping with 'Animal Control Budget'?
These questions need answers. If the family chooses to reject a settlement and pursue this in court (it's conceivable that a family would reject even a gargantuan sum for a settlement if it comes with the stipulation that TWDC 'does not admit fault'), I'm sure every place where they could be at fault will be explored. Since Sen. Markey has shown to have an interest in themed enterprises beyond Mouse Arrest Bands on preteens, he could start sniffing around.
If it turns out that one of the 'faults' that $DIS has here is a 'budget cut' to guest safety and it get's out, I don't think it's just 'managers' that will be brushing off their resumes...
