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The Florida State Department of Fish and Wildlife is advising divers, hikers, hunters, fishers, and golfers to take extra precautions and keep alert for alligators while in Osceola, Polk, Manatee, Orange and Dade Counties. They advise people to wear noise-producing devices such as small bells on their clothing to alert but not startle the alligators unexpectedly. They also advise the carrying of pepper spray in case of an encounter with an alligator. It is also a good idea to watch for fresh signs of alligator activity. People should recognize the difference between small, young alligator and large, adult alligator droppings.
Young alligator droppings are smaller and contain fish bones and possibly bird feathers. Adult alligators droppings have little bells in them and smell like pepper spray. :)

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Department of State travel information and publications are available by
clicking here. You can listen to recorded information by calling the
Department of State in Washington, D.C. at (202) 647-5225. You can also receive information by telefax by dialing (202) 647-3000. By snail mail, send your requests for specific country or countries (also write the name of the country and countries on the outside of the envelope) to the Office of Overseas Citizens Services, Room 4800, Department of State,
Washington, DC 20520-4818. You can also receive information from
the 13 regional passport agencies, and at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.

In Trouble? Phone Home!

In conjunction with trying to contact the closest U.S. embassy or consulate when you run into trouble abroad, you may need to contact the State Department back home. The direct phone number is (202) 657-5225 for the following cases and other emergencies: death of an American citizen abroad, arrest/detention, robbery, and missing persons.

From the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Sea Turtles)

Before you travel to the Caribbean, learn what you can bring back into the U.S.. Because all species of turtles are threatened or on the endangered list, they are protected in many Caribbean nations under the domestic and international laws. These laws are difficult to enforce, so turtle products such as turtle oil, turtle eggs and other food products, tortoiseshell jewelry and combs are still transported by tourists and travelers. Even if you buy these items legally in another country, by bringing them back into the U.S. is a violation of the Endangered Species Act. If you are caught (remember the random search), they will seize these products and you may have to pay a sizeable fine or penalty. By purchasing the items, we are encouraging the illegal trade of endangered wildlife and contributing to the extinction of many animal species.

For more information contact the Division of Law Enforcement, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 347, Arlington, VA 22203, or call the Sea Turtle Survival League at (800) 678-7853.