Last week, hundreds of alligators swarmed the Okefenokee Swamp in Fargo, Georgia, leaving viewers uneasy. WSB-TV in Atlanta shared a video on Facebook on Thursday, July 18, filmed by a boater navigating through the gators, and it’s a must-see.
The minute-and-a-half-long video, shot by Marty Welch, shows him carefully maneuvering through the water, surrounded by alligators. In the footage, Welch can be heard commenting that the gators are also lying on the banks of the swamp, seemingly unbothered by his presence or the boat. The video captures the eerie calm of the scene, and the conversation between Welch and his companion adds to the tension.
Many viewers shared my reaction of wanting to stay far away from the swamp. WSB-TV commenters were visibly shocked. Commenter @MJ Jordan humorously remarked, “I don’t know what kind of boat they were in, but it wasn’t big enough.” @Tanishal Harris echoed my thoughts, saying, “No way my hands would be stable enough to take video. My video would’ve been shaking from the sheer fear!” Meanwhile, @Charzette MzChaz Harris added, “I would turn that boat around!”
WSB-TV provided additional context in an article linked with the video. While the footage surprised many, local residents were less shocked. “The Okefenokee is known for its abundance of amphibians and reptiles, including American alligators,” WSB shared. The swamp is a 438,000-acre protected wetland crisscrossed by several canals.
But why were so many alligators there? The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge also shared the video and explained, “This behavior is not a regular occurrence but it’s completely normal in times of low water levels when their food sources are more concentrated,” they said in the video’s caption on their Facebook page.
If the video gives you nightmares, you’re not alone. Alligators are indeed terrifying to many people, and for good reason. National Geographic describes them as apex predators, noting, “They feed mainly on fish, turtles, snakes, and small mammals. However, they are opportunists, and a hungry gator will eat just about anything, including carrion, our pets and, in rare instances, humans.”
Alligators are among the oldest animals on Earth, often referred to as living dinosaurs. They appeared around 84 million years ago, with ancestors dating back over 200 million years. Only turtles and tortoises are older among modern reptiles.
Living in northern Georgia, about six hours away from the Okefenokee Swamp, I’m thankful not to encounter alligators daily. It’s one less thing to worry about, and I’m not sad about that!