Gators are more than a football team

While some people like dogs or cats because they are cute, others are interested in animals because of their unpredictable nature and dangerous ways.

Jeff Klinkenberg, a writer for the St. Petersburg Times and published author, visited the Ocala campus in the Klein Center located in the Ewers building on Feb. 18 to speak for two hours about Florida culture and his career.

Klinkenberg has been writing for the St. Petersburg Times since 1977. He reports on Florida culture and individuals who are considered to make the state unique.

“I have the best job in Florida,” Klinkenberg said. “I get to go to the most beautiful places and get to meet the most interesting people.”

He was the third guest in a sustainability speaker series that Stephen Mackenzie, professor of environmental sciences, organized.

Mackenzie kicked off the series in hopes of “having dialogue about sustainability and living lightly on the planet.”

“I just enjoyed reading his articles in the St. Petersburg Times and thought it would be interesting for students and the community,” Mackenzie said.

With the Klein Center just a little over one-third full, Klinkenberg stood at the podium and spoke. All the while, he ran a presentation from his Mac laptop that was displayed to audience members on four large screens throughout the room.

Included in his presentation were pictures, features of certain individuals, video clippings, songs and adventure stories all pertaining to the estimated 1.5 million alligators that live in Florida and their surrounding environments.

Klinkenberg stated the alligator population has grown rapidly since the 1950s and 1960s when they were hunted illegally and legally.

One story he told was about a friend of Klinkenberg named Don who had his arm bitten off by an alligator on Sept. 23, 2002. He said Don found an alligator in a pond behind his house and instead of calling the wildlife patrol, he named the reptile Mojo and built a fence around him to prevent escape.

One day when Don was cleaning algae out of his pond, he forgot to look to see where “Mojo” was and the alligator attacked him causing the loss of his arm. Don was rushed to the hospital and the reptile was caught and killed.

Klinkenberg also spoke about his adventures with friends on and near Loop Road in the Everglades located in South Florida.

“We’re all doing the same things now as we were then,” Klinkenberg said. “If you go looking for Florida, you will find it, and you can certainly have fun with it.”

Since his childhood, he has met with several individuals, and gone on many adventures to learn more about alligators.

In one instance, he accompanied Julie, a Lakeland teacher during the week and alligator trapper on weekends. He had to get involved in battling an over 13 ft. reptile when the alligator was overpowering the original crew of trappers.

After his presentation came to a wrap up, students were allowed to ask questions and did so for about 30 minutes.

When asked why he was so interested in alligators Klinkenberg said, “I think because they could eat me.”

Audience members had the choice to buy two of Klinkenberg’s published books with an autograph for $20. The books were “Seasons of Real Florida” and “Pilgrim in the Land of Alligators.”

When students were asked what they thought about the speaker and his presentation many agreed it was fascinating but too lengthy.

“I thought it was really interesting but it was kind of drawn out,” said communications major, Pamela Parrell, 19, as she left a few minutes early because she said she had not eaten dinner and was tired.

Another student shared the same views as Parrell.

“Even though it was a little lengthy, it was interesting,” said physical therapy major, Latrella Flucas, 43. “I now know all about alligator shoes, purses, toys and Tom Petty…literally.”

Mackenzie was pleased with his decision to ask Klinkenberg to speak.

Mackenzie said, “I thought he did really well and we had a good turnout.”