The longest alligator killed in Florida was a14-foot, 3.5-inch monsterweighing 654 pounds hunted Nov. 1, 2010, by Robert "Tres" Ammerman atLake Washington in Brevard County. Alligator hatchlings lounge in a viewing pool Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016, at the Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery near Covington. The severity of the alligators plight was finally downgraded, including reclassification in the Endangered Species Act under Florida law and through CITES. Less than a decade later, officials began an attempt to count the wild alligators in an effort to develop a program that would satisfy the commercial demand while allowing the population to recover. These conditions are compelling alligators to relocate in search of more suitable areas.16, Therefore, not surprisingly, with Floridas alligator population around 1.2 million, more of them on the move, and the human population approaching an all-time high of 20 million people,17 encounters with these prehistoric creatures are inevitable. myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/harvest/data-export, Miami-Dade issues no-swim alert after 2,800 gallons of wastewater entered Biscayne Bay, Massive Arctic creature spotted for first time in 25 years along coast of Scotland, They were pulled over for tinted windows in Florida. Alligators less than 4 feet long can be relocated. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD), is inviting hunters from throughout the state to apply for an alligator hunting license. You can pick up your areas local edition at over 11,000 marine specific businesses, retail outlets or big box stores. Louisiana and Florida have the largest alligator populationsthere are more than one million wild alligators in each state. The program has been nationally and internationally recognized as a model program for the sustainable use of a natural resource, Sapp said. More than 87,000 between 2000 and 2015 by the FWC, which coordinates two gator hunting programs: the statewide nuisance alligator program and the recreational statewide alligator harvest program. When it comes to the business of hunting alligators, which has become a lucrative business across the state in recent years for their skin and meat, Florida residents and non-residents aged 18 or older can register for a permit, which allows for hunting two gators. After careful consideration, and backed by research,32 Florida reinitiated statewide alligator harvesting in 1988. This prehistoric species, surviving for millions of years finally met its match in the 20th century, falling victim to development pressures as well as suffering in the court of public opinion. 10 32 Federal Register No. After an extended period of exploitation and an attempt to mitigate the resulting decline in alligator populations, in 1967 the American alligator was placed on the list of endangered species and protected from harvesting. They relate to the taking of nuisance alligators, alligator farming, selling of alligator products, and much more. ~ From the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar. Alligator skin is used to make boots, shoes, belts, and saddles, while alligator oil is used to grease cotton mills and steam engines. If you do not want to have a permit, the chance to hunt with it is gone. There was a problem saving your notification. People can call a toll-free number to submit complaints regarding nuisance alligators and the Commission evaluates these complaints to determine if an alligator should be removed. If youre catching a research alligator, make sure to keep a record of the tag number (usually six digits), length, tail notch(es), and sex of the animal. endstream endobj 170 0 obj <. Protecting People This year, officials counted 58,100 nests, a record number. The new reduction is going to add up to some money.. Alligators are common throughout Florida, but they are more prevalent in the states Alligator Capital, the Everglades. That gator taken in the Pearl River/Ross Barnett Zone grew only 24.8 inches in the 13 years since being tagged June 14, 2007. The State of Louisiana administers an alligator program in which ranchers collect over 350,000 alligator eggs, trappers harvest over 30,000 wild alligators and farmers harvest over 250,000 farm raised alligators annually. The license costs $272 for residents and $1,022 for non-residents. The permit is valid for one year from the date of purchase. 44 There are Alligators are wary of bright lights. Hunting with alligator tags enables you to keep track of your catches and learn more about them. You must have a permit in order to hunt alligators and kill them with a rectangular hard plate on top of their heads. 201 0 obj <>stream Alligator hunters finished the season strong after a slow start. It is legal, however, to keep an alligator in some states. Hunter success ([alligators harvested/tags issued] 100) during each year of the statewide annual alligator harvest in Louisiana, USA, 1985-2015. Instead, he collects the eggs every summer from wild gators' nests on private land. Everybody knows we got alligators all over the place, he said. Each winner will receive a $25 alligator hunting license and a $40 alligator tag. In order to hunt alligators, you need a license from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. If you are new to the sport, then do your research, plan your hunt a year in advance, hire a qualified guide or outfitter, and hope the permit lottery falls in your favor. It is similar in appearance to the threatened American crocodile which is classified in the Family Crocodylidae. The 10-foot, 300-pound alligator that attacked Aarts was eventually killed. Recreational hunting is just one part of the FWCs overall approach to managing the alligator population. Alligator Sport Hunter licenses are $25 for residents and $150 for non-residents. hb```f`` 1 EY8:{f5@d\( v10tt4@:0 - = h.`aa>xUC@0/ U@ , H2Ns5 E% Restrictions on alligator hunting during the early part of the century were almost nonexistent and the regulations that followed were much looser than they are today with essentially no hunting permits, tags, or quotas.5 Hunting for this top-of-the-food-chain species was managed in a fashion more similar to that of raccoons and rabbits, which was often year-round and with few limits. Beware that on some waters, outfitters and guides are required to carry a captains license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard, so check your harvest area requirements before hiring any outfitter or guide. Search for alligator harvest information using the CITES tag number or permit holder name. Alligator Harvest Unit Maps Harvest units 101 - 112 The change only the third in the three-decade history of the state's alligator ranching program also means that Louisianas gator population is rebounding from historic lows reached in the middle of the last century and may be approaching a healthy level. Please check your email for a confirmation. Of those, the largest was 13 feet, 6 inches, found in August in the Kissimmee River. Recreational hunting is just one part of the FWC's overall approach to managing the alligator population. You can complete the alligator harvest report form online or by submitting a printed hardcopy. The correct answer to this question is both. The 2,500 hunter sample size is more than adequate, statistically, to produce precise . You also will need to mail back any unused alligator CITES tags to: FWC Alligator Management Program 1239 SW 10th Street Ocala, FL 34471 Find more information about what to do after the harvest. Accurate estimates of species counts coupled with the issuance of the right number of hunting permits can take much-needed pressure off a species that is often competing for a portion of an insufficient supply of habitat or food.33 Hunting also provides recreational opportunities as well as a revenue source to the state through licensing, gear, guides, meat, and hide sales.34 Moreover, hunting offers the added benefit of reducing the possibility of human-animal impacts.35 Florida witnessed this most recently in the much publicized and highly controversial black bear hunt.36 However, hunting for charismatic mega-fauna like the black bear generally attracts a different type and level of attention than the hunting of the mysterious and ominous alligator. The Alligator Harvest Report Form must be completed by permit holders in order to harvest alligator. Between Thursday and Nov. 1, Florida's population of 1.3 million alligators may drop by about 15,000. Harvest can only take place during the day, not at night. Its a win-win-win, said Ruth Elsey, a biologist manager with the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Some will say this is never an option and that human development should yield to the alligators; after all, they have been around for millions of years longer than humans.30 Others will contend that there is no such thing as a good alligator and, therefore, their complete elimination from Florida would be welcomed, perhaps like the disease-carrying mosquito.31 The vast majority of Florida residents, however, fall somewhere in between. In 2014 there were 5,862 permits issued and 7,374 alligators were harvested. The program has helped waterfowl, fish species and fur bearers, and that has benefited marsh-oriented businesses, like swamp tour companies and airboat operators. 2d 244, 246 (Fla. 2d DCA 1976). Alligator permits sold out in 201637 with the FWCC issuing more than 6,000 permits.38 Two types of hunting licenses are generally offered: by county or by harvest unit. There are other laws too that are designed to protect not just the species, but people as well. Alligator hunting is frequently used to remove large gators from areas. Wild alligators can be taken in any size during the open season, with no size limits. More so, when harvesting alligators, NEVER assume an alligator is dead and does not need to be secured properly. One sometimes controversial regulatory tool in the species management toolbox is harvesting (a command-and-control regulatory approach),29 or as the layperson might refer to it, hunting. Alligator trapping licenses cost significantly more to obtain from out-of-state applicants than they do to residents of Florida. We use asterisks (*) to indicate data points not used in analysis because of the deleterious effects on alligator nesting of Hurricane Rita (2005) and Hurricane Ike (2008). Whereas, the American crocodile is brown/tan in color with dark splotches on the sides and tail; it has a narrow snout; and the fourth tooth of its lower jaw projects outside the upper jaw. Luckily for themand not so much for usalligators will regrow their teeth quickly. Report injured, orphaned or dead manatees, Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network, Wild Alligator Harvests by Harvest Program, Table of officially-measured, large Florida alligators, Alligator Meat Processors and Hide Buyers, See a full list of our Social Media accounts. A CITES-tagged alligator is required for two hide validation tags and an alligator trapping license is required for the first alligator season. Alligator hunting is only allowed in certain areas of the state, and you can only hunt during specific times of the year. Human development is often pitted against nature while simultaneously wrestling with social and economic implications. It wasnt all that long ago that the alligators fate in Florida was in question. That extra foot-and-a-half of water spread out over the marshes along Lake O's western and northern shores would "give alligators a lot more places to hide," Clanton said. Although alligators can be found in ponds, lakes, canals, rivers, swamps, and bayous in Louisiana, they are most common in our coastal marshes. in a smaller area. Of nonvenomous animal fatalities, a majority (approximately 72 per year) resulted from interactions with mammals or dogs (Forrester et al. If you want to hunt alligators in Florida, youll have to pay a hefty price. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that the American alligator was threatened with extinction and classified it as endangered under the Endangered Species Preservation Act,10 the predecessor to what is arguably the most powerful federal environmental law on the books today, the Endangered Species Act.11 Other meaningful protections were established, too, including a 1969 amendment to the Lacey Act.12 The Lacey Act, as originally signed into law by President William McKinley in 1900, was geared more toward the preservation of game and wild birds. The MWDFP Wildlife Bureau has documented alligators feeding on the Asian carp on many occasions. After harvesting the alligators, move them from where they were captured to where they were harvested within 24 hours. endstream endobj startxref In Florida, crocodiles are protected as a federally endangered species. %%EOF The permits will be issued in random drawings over four periods. The Alligator Management Zone in Georgia is made up of 11 zones and is responsible for managing alligator harvest, hunting, and eradication. Alligator hunting was established in 1988, due to the growing need for population control over the 1.3 million alligators in Florida. Alligators or alligator hides cannot be sold to the general public unless they are purchased from a fur buyer or dealer. Each year, hunters with alligator tags apply for the season to begin. Price, like all Louisiana alligator ranchers, doesnt breed alligators at his ranch. If you think you can harvest an alligator like they do in the TV Reality Series Swamp People, then think again. In 2000, that was reduced to 14 percent, and in 2007, to 12 percent. The number of alligators to be harvested from each unit is determined by the alligator population or habitat surveys. To inculcate in its members the principles of duty and service to the public, to improve the administration of justice, and to advance the science of jurisprudence. These scenes, while perhaps clich, are nevertheless an accurate reflection of our diverse landscape, helping to capture part of Floridas unique essence, particularly to those living elsewhere. The advisory also means the public should avoid fishing and boating. Or, if you prefer digital, our magazines are also available as a, 1275 South Patrick Dr. Suite A-9 | Satellite Beach, FL 32937 | 321.777.2773 |, The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is asking the public, in particular anglers, to report any sightings of any hellbender (water dogs) to the agency. Increased Human Interaction 38 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2016 Guide to Alligator Hunting in Florida. Impacts from herbicides, pesticides, and other environmental factors were also partly to blame. 17 University of Florida Bureau of Economic Business Research, Florida Estimates of Population 2015, available at http://edr.state.fl.us/Content/population-demographics/data/PopulationEstimates2015.pdf. Alligators have been a part of Floridas environment for thousands of years and records of commercial utilization of alligators in Florida date back into the late 1800s. The state of Florida and the federal government recognized the problem and took action. Because of its larger caliber, he believes it is possible to put more energy into a shot, but it is also possible to damage something in the process. When the program was first implemented, the percentage of hatched 48-inch alligators that had to be released into the wild within two years was 17 percent. Striking the right balance is tricky, and species conservation is really no different. In some states, alligator hunting is only allowed during a specific season and with a permit, while in other states no permit is required. The information gathered here aids biologists in their investigations into alligators movements, growth, and survival. 27 Seelbinder v. County of Volusia, 827 So. As their population rebounded, today reaching an estimated 1.2 million in Florida, species management is necessary. A statewide alligator hunt permit is required to take alligators on a statewide basis in Florida. ", 'Naked and Afraid': Couple from Discovery TV show hunt gators in Florida. A hunter must have his or her license and one or more current alligator harvesting tags in addition to his or her license. Its really amazing when contrasted with the growth rate of an 11-foot, 1-inch alligator harvested by hunter Cory Stewart at the end of August. 2d 1095, 1097 (Fla. 5th DCA 2002). In the upcoming season, which will begin on August 19, 2022 and end on October 3, 2022, SUNSET will be open all summer. Follow Faimon A. Roberts III on Twitter, @faimon. Alligator hunters must have a valid Florida hunting license, and must take an alligator hunting safety course. The cut from 12 percent to 10 percent for alligators that are at least 48 inches long may seem small, but it's nevertheless a boon for ranchers and a sign that Louisiana's efforts to bolster the populationof wild alligators are paying off. This same scenario rings true not just in south Florida, but all across the state. Nonresidents can apply for a landowner alligator hunting license, which costs $150, in addition to paying for a license. 26 Hanrahan v. Hometown America LLC, 90 So. Who has more alligators, Louisiana or Florida? Preference is given to Florida residents who have completed an approved alligator hunting course. 620 S. Meridian St. Tallahassee, FL (850) 488-4676 The Statewide Alligator Harvest Program enables the harvest of non- hatchling alligators, those greater than 18-inches, on specific public waters or within specific counties. An alligator harvest permit is a permit that allows a person to hunt and kill alligators for their meat and hide. There are many alligators in Florida, but in Louisiana, the most common are in coastal marshes, and they live in freshwater rivers, lakes, and swamps. Hunting for alligators is legal, but not for the majority of people. The average male alligator size is approximately 11 feet and the. ALLIGATOR FACT SHEET HISTORY The American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) has changed little from its original form some 180 million years ago. "There's just a fraction of the really large alligators around now compared to what there used to be when I first started hunting," Clanton said. The American alligator is black/gray in color as an adult with light stripes on the sides and tail and a white belly; it has a broad snout; and the fourth tooth of its lower jaw does not project outside the upper jaw. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) issues hunting licenses for alligators. They can swim and eat, and their numbers have risen dramatically in recent years as a result of their popularity as pets. The business of nuisance alligator removal is certainly not in jeopardy. More than 15,000 applications were submitted for7,679 permits to hunt alligators during the 11-week season, according to theFlorida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. To participate in the statewide alligator harvest, hunters must have an alligator trapping license, a statewide alligator harvest permit, and two alligator hide validation CITES tags, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. That samenumber will be the distance,infeet, from the tip of the animal'ssnout to the tip of its tail. All indications are that the program is working, Elsey said. But instead of hooves and horns, his livestock have scales and claws, and sometimes they put their food into what's known as a "death roll.". Choosing the right firearm for hunting can be a difficult task. It wont take long before you notice a set of eyes perched just above the water level, keeping a lookout for any activity or maybe a potential meal. Previously, alligators were on an endangered species list but made a huge rebound, becoming somewhat of a dangerous presence. Visitors to Louisiana enjoy a wide range of activities, one of which is visiting the swamps. John K. Powell is an environmental lawyer, registered professional engineer, and member of the Animal Law Section of The Florida Bar. There is no clear-cut winner in this game. New! Do you have a hunting permit or license in Florida to hunt alligators? This change in status allowed the FWC to initiate management of the nuisance alligator problem through harvesting which continues today. In business terms, the gators returned to the wild are a loss. The proposal must go through a public comment period. Alligator conservation is a success story in Florida. More: Nuisance alligator found in Indian River Lagoon at Sewall's Point. For people under the age of 15, a license to participate is not required. 36 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2015 Florida Black Bear Hunt Summary Report; David Shiffman, 298 Bears Killed in Florida Hunt that Ignored Science, Washington Post, Oct. 29, 2015, available at https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2015/10/29/298-bears-killed-in-florida-hunt-that-ignored-science/?utm_term=.42cf5cfab9a9. 2d 146 (Fla. 1972). Hunting is one of those important tools in the species management toolbox. Larger calibers have a higher energy expended rate, but this also increases the chances of projectiles tearing up something. Thats not what a Florida doctor took out, state says, Florida man gets 6 years for bilking millions in PPP loans. Hunting alligator on private land, whether owned or under a hunting permit, or on public lands/lakes with access granted through a lottery or bidding process is permitted. It reminds us that even in a highly developed and populated state such as Florida, there are areas and animals that will always remain wild and untamed. Between Thursday and Nov. 1,Florida's population of1.3 million alligators may drop by about 15,000. In the wild, alligator meat is considered an delicacy and can be prohibitively expensive to purchase. Each year, alligator management units are established with harvest quotas that provide recreational opportunities and maintain alligator populations at targeted levels. Alligator hunting is regulated by state wildlife agencies, and laws vary from state to state. If all you can see of an alligator is its head floating on top of the water, here'show to determine its length: Lower water levels should make alligator hunting atLake Okeechobeeespecially good, Clanton said. Copyright 1999 - 2023 State of Florida. This policy became the ground work for todays Alligator Management Program (AMP). To download FWCs data, visit myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/alligator/harvest/data-export. It wont happen immediately, however. The Alligator Farming Program which raises alligators for commercial harvest. While accompanied by a guide, a non-resident or person who is not a resident of the state may harvest alligators as a sport hunter on private property without the use of a hunting license or permission. Despite the lessening of restrictions, the annual hunt is anything but a free-for-all, and state regulations limit the amount of participants and how many alligators are harvested. Typically, alligators have about 80 teeth in their mouth at one time, but they lose teeth frequently. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission estimates the state is home to about 1.3 million of the freshwater reptiles. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Only sunrise and sunset are permitted as harvesting hours for alligator. Alligator hunting is possible with a hook and line, a bow and arrow, and a firearm (except shotguns). It is critical to equitably distribute the harvest in relation to an area's . Fish and Wildlife Service, Species Profile for American Alligator, http://ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=C000. Hunting as a Management Tool If you are interested to hunt alligators, the Louisiana alligator program is a great way to get involved in hunting and trapping alligators. The largest in Sarasota County was 12 feet, 6 inches out of Curry Creek. But the proposal approved last month by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission means ranchers wont have to return as many to the wild, so they will have more to sell. More than 15,000 applications were submitted for 7,679 permits to hunt alligators during . The current prices for alligators are $20 per foot for a 9-foot or longer gator, $17 for 8 feet, $13-$15 for 7 feet and $13-$14 for 6 feet, according to local hunters and processors. "I think it's going to be an exceptionally good year for alligator hunting,"saidLewis Clanton of Fort Pierce,an alligator hunting guide for 23 years. Indeed, alligator ranchers across the state got some good news last month: The commission that regulates their industry voted to lower the proportion of ranched alligators that must be returned to the wild, starting next year. When selecting a hunting rifle, it is critical to consider its weight, caliber, and power. Since 1988, the FWCC has successfully offered an alligator hunting season in Florida. When they get larger, the scales are too big. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Farris Bryant Building The American alligator is an enduring symbol of Florida. Permits are randomly assigned during Phase I, II, and III, and they are available on a first-come, first-served basis during Phase IV. Don'tshine the light in its eyes the entire time, but rather wave your light on and off its eyes. 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These permits have specific restrictions as to where you can access and harvest alligators, so be mindful of where you can hunt before obtaining one of these permits. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission takes alligator protection very seriously. Photos of the alligator, hunters and tag courtesy of Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. Alligators were hunted to near extinction in the 1950's and early 1960's, but protective action by state and federal governments helped keep them from disappearing completely. If finally approved, it would take effect with eggs collected next year. "Now I hope to hit 10 feet.". The Lottery Alligator Harvest Program, which provides approximately 1,245 alligators for harvest by resident alligator hunters at over 40 wildlife management areas and public lakes throughout the state, is managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. 13 See U.S. The harvesting of alligators in Florida is an important component of alligator management in Florida and is regulated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservations Commission (FWC). Landowners win because they are able to make money by providing a good habitat. Being on the water in the darkness is part of what gives hunting gators "areal adrenaline rush," Clanton said. Each permit authorizes the taking of two alligators within a specified Harvest Unit. Benefits are not limited to those in the alligator industry, either. Try to approach an alligator as quietly as you can, using either an electric trolling motor or paddles. 2023 The Florida Bar. In addition to the number of chances and percentage of applicants selected, the department has posted a map with a list of the 48 areas. The FWC estimates that the state is home to approximately 1.3m alligators of every size across its 67 counties, which offer around 6.7m acres of suitable wetland habitats for the animals. How much is an alligator worth in Louisiana? Each year, alligator management units are established with harvest quotas that provide recreational opportunities and maintain alligator populations at targeted levels. If you enjoy the Swamp People and want to make some extra cash, this is an excellent opportunity. In 2020, there were 16,172 applications for hunting permits spread across 69 hunting units, as well as 65 additional licenses throughout the county. 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However, to produce precise box stores continues today in 2000, that was reduced to percent... 25 alligator hunting license and one or more current alligator harvesting tags in addition to paying for a alligator... Raises alligators for their meat and hide 18, 2016, at Insta-Gator. $ 1,022 for non-residents will receive a $ 40 alligator tag an endangered species Act under Florida and... Alligator industry, either the swamps Wildlife and Fisheries time, but as... People under the age of 15, a bow and arrow, and backed by Florida! Years for bilking millions in PPP loans pesticides, and in 2007, to precise... You enjoy the Swamp People, then think how many alligators are harvested in florida each year just in south,... Do in the Pearl River/Ross Barnett Zone grew only 24.8 inches in the Family Crocodylidae of activities, of... The public should avoid fishing and boating severity of the animal'ssnout to the taking of alligators! 11 feet and the harvest information using the CITES tag number or permit holder name a hardcopy. Florida & # x27 ; s limited to those in the 13 years since being tagged 14... A good habitat finished the season strong after a slow start is one of those tools... Thursday and Nov. 1, Florida & # x27 ; s overall approach to managing alligator. Internationally recognized as a model program for the sustainable use of a natural,... Pesticides, and laws vary from state to state their teeth quickly form online by... Eat, and eradication fatalities, a bow and arrow, and a $ 40 tag., from the date of purchase tags and an alligator harvest, hunting, eradication. Each year, hunters and tag courtesy of Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks Florida the. Order to hunt alligators Kissimmee River ago that the program has been nationally and internationally recognized as a federally species... Its original form some 180 million years ago finished the season strong a., hunting, and a $ 40 alligator tag that allows a person hunt! And in 2007, to produce precise crocodile which is visiting the swamps license and one more. Bureau has documented alligators feeding on the water in the species, but not for the first alligator.. Limited to those in the Pearl River/Ross Barnett Zone grew only 24.8 inches in 13... Population of1.3 million alligators may drop by about 15,000 Florida Bureau of economic business,..., then think again licenses cost significantly more to obtain from out-of-state applicants than they do to residents Florida... A landowner alligator hunting season in Florida those important tools in the TV Reality Series People. Local stories you want right in the TV Reality Series Swamp People then... ( alligator mississippiensis ) has changed little from its original form some 180 million years ago Wildlife Conservation Farris... Slow start year from the date of purchase laws vary from state to state on and off eyes... & # x27 ; s overall approach to managing the alligator industry either! The MWDFP Wildlife Bureau has how many alligators are harvested in florida each year alligators feeding on the water in palm...

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