Florida seeks 'crocodile response agents'

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is posting job openings for "crocodile response agents" in the Florida Keys. The commission said it will train the agents to investigate complaints about American crocodiles, finding alternatives to relocating the threatened crocodiles and taking care of the occasional carcass recovery, the Florida Keys Keynoter reported Monday. The posting says it prefers applicants with experience handling crocs, but officials said it is not required. "Since few people have extensive experience with alligators or crocodiles, that's not a prerequisite," said Lindsey Hord, the commission biologist in charge of South Florida's nuisance alligators and crocodiles. "We can train them. If somebody with a lot of experience comes in, that would be a plus." Hord said the agents would be paid $25 per hour and would work on an as-needed basis.