More airboat tour captains arrested for feeding alligators

Airboat tour operators were once again the subject of an undercover wildlife officer operation to catch them feeding alligators, which is illegal. Three airboat captains at Everglades Holiday Park were arrested in mid-July for either feeding or molesting an alligator, the Lakeland Ledger and other sources report. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers took tours undercover to catch the captains feeding the alligators to entertain the airboat tourists, according to news reports.

Before this blog was started, EcoFlorida reported in September 2004 about a similar undercover operation in Collier County, when airboat captains from Speedy Johnson’s Airboat Tours, Everglades Private Airboats and Jungle Erv’s were caught feeding alligators.

The maximum penalty for anyone caught feeding an alligator in Florida is 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Charged with alligator harassment

A reader writes:

"Please help! My husband sits every day at a the bank of a canal to eat lunch. He has many times stopped his co-workers from feeding or harassing the alligators that also appreciate the same canal. Recently he was eating lunch when a police officer approached him stating that there had been a complaint of a man harassing the alligators. They charged him! A Florida native and longtime advocate and defender of Florida wildlife, my husband has now been charged with harassment of an American alligator. Basically what I need to know to approach this correctly is the law that constitutes this charge. What is the exact law against harassing American alligators, and the possible repercussions? Thank you for your time. Kind Regards, Jessica"

Huh, that's really something. I was under the impression -- based on past news reports of alligator harassment charges -- you had to be caught in the act.

I can't offer legal advice, but you can contact your local division of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which can tell you exactly what the law says. Your local FWC office is a good place to begin for lots of wildlife-related help.

And you should definitely contact a lawyer.

I hope your husband will continue to help spread the word against harassing alligators and other wildlife. Best wishes....

Alligators in the crosshairs

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is touring the state, taking comments from hunters, environmentalists and anybody else interested in the fate of what has been described as both a symbol of the state's wildlands and as a terrifying monster with a brain smaller than a peanut - March 26, Orlando Sentinel

Wildlife official reminds: No feeding alligators

As if a horrific lesson wasn't learned Wednesday when a monstrous alligator nearly killed a Polk City man at Lake Parker, someone was seen feeding an alligator early Thursday -- at the same lake - Dec. 1, Lakeland Ledger

Gator attacks naked man on crack

A 45-year-old man was hospitalized after four sheriff's deputies rescued him from the jaws of a nearly 12-foot alligator Wednesday, while he was naked and high on crack cocaine - Nov. 30, AP