Disney to post alligator warning signs after boy's death

Walt Disney World plans to put up signs warning of the danger of alligators after a two-year-old was dragged by an alligator into the lagoon. PHOTO: REUTERS

ORLANDO (AFP) - Florida's Walt Disney World plans to put up signs warning of the danger of alligators following the death of a toddler snatched from the shore of a resort lake, US media reported.

Disney is "conducting a swift and thorough review of all of our processes and protocols", spokesman Jacquee Wahler told reporters Thursday (June 17). "This includes the number, placement and wording of our signage and warnings," she said.

The signs will explicitly warn of the danger of alligators, the Orlando Sentinel and other US media said, citing unnamed sources "with knowledge of the situation".

There was a no swimming sign at the lakeside beach at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa where the two-year-old boy and his family were staying.

However, there were no signs warning about alligators.

The animals are found in large bodies of fresh water across Florida, but they rarely attack humans.

The toddler's father tried frantically to save the child when an alligator snatched him late Tuesday, but could not pry the kid from the animal's jaws.

Divers found the boy's body Wednesday in murky water about 1.8m deep just 10m or 15m from where he was taken.

Disney shut down all of its Florida resort beaches and marinas out of precaution after the incident.

The Grand Floridian is part of the massive Disney resort complex that includes several theme parks, water parks, hotels and golf courses.

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