LEESBURG — The deaths of 160 alligators in Lake Griffin since December 1997 has scientists looking for answers and members of the Lake Griffin Restoration Task Force debating how to address the lake’s problems.

Meanwhile, Michel D’Annecy, executive director of the Florida Conference’s camps and retreat center, has suspended all lake activities at the Life Enrichment Center and Warren W. Willis Camp until further notice.

Although there is no official ban on lake usage or fishing in the lake, D’Annecy said he wanted to avoid any potential liability for the conference or the camps.

"I am not trying to push the panic button," D’Annecy said. "I am concerned."

Since very few groups using the grounds participate in water activities, he said he doesn’t expect this decision to negatively impact anyone.

The alligator deaths are suspected to be linked to a toxin which is attacking the reptiles’ nervous system, making them sluggish, disoriented and unable to respond to visual stimulus, according to an article in the Orlando Sentinel’s Lake County edition.

The article reported that University of Florida researchers believe the toxin may be related to a massive blue-green algae bloom in Lake Griffin.

Although the algae is known to cause liver damage, none has been found in the livers of the Lake Griffin gators examined.

The article aslo said the algae has been linked to a neurotoxin, but whatever is affecting the gators is unlike any neurotoxin scientists have seen.

Algae specialist John Burns told Restoration Task Force members he did not think there was any health risk in simply coming in contact with the water.

D’Annecy said the plants make the water repulsive, regardless of the health impact of the algae infestation. "I don’t think anyone would want to go into the water anyway," he said. "If you look at the lake, it is not very inviting."