FLORIDA SPORTSMAN (Stuart) 07 August 08 Gator Baiters Busted - Everglades’ airboat captains caught feeding gators.
Undercover Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers witnessed and photographed airboat captains feeding alligators in western Broward County last month. The FWC was tipped off by complaints from the public.
Three airboat captains were arrested. Randy T. Rothermel, of Ft. Lauderdale, and Armando Horta, of Hialeah, were charged with feeding alligators. John D. Pieper, of Ft. Lauderdale, faces charges for molesting an alligator.
The officers completed the undercover investigation July 12 at Everglades Holiday Park. They witnessed an alligator bouncing off the airboat, snapping for food from the airboat captains. Tourists hung over the edge to get photos of the frothing gators.
“The actions of these individuals teach tourists and visitors it is OK to feed and touch American alligators,” said FWC lieutenant Rob Laubenberger. “This puts the lives of anyone imitating these actions in jeopardy. In addition, the gators will perceive humans as a source of food.”
http://www.floridasportsman.com/casts/080806/
- Everglades’ airboat captains caught feeding gators.
Undercover Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers witnessed and photographed airboat captains feeding alligators in western Broward County last month. The FWC was tipped off by complaints from the public.
Three airboat captains were arrested. Randy T. Rothermel, of Ft. Lauderdale, and Armando Horta, of Hialeah, were charged with feeding alligators. John D. Pieper, of Ft. Lauderdale, faces charges for molesting an alligator.
The officers completed the undercover investigation July 12 at Everglades Holiday Park. They witnessed an alligator bouncing off the airboat, snapping for food from the airboat captains. Tourists hung over the edge to get photos of the frothing gators.
“The actions of these individuals teach tourists and visitors it is OK to feed and touch American alligators,” said FWC lieutenant Rob Laubenberger. “This puts the lives of anyone imitating these actions in jeopardy. In addition, the gators will perceive humans as a source of food.”
Gator Baiters Busted