WBBH (Fort Myers, Florida) 27 July 05 Undercover sting targets people feeding gators (David Karsh)
Charlotte County: Florida Fish and Wildlife officers are cracking down on anyone who feeds alligators. On Tuesday, undercover officers caught a Punta Gorda couple feeding wild alligators at Jim Long Lake. The state will continue to run similar stings throughout Southwest Florida.
A tranquil lake in a secluded Punta Gorda neighborhood is home to dozens of potentially deadly predators.
"You're asking for problems, there are alligators here. There's a 16 footer that lives here. You don't want him aggressive," said Ernest Maresca.
The number of aggressive alligators in Southwest Florida seems to be growing every day. Officials say it's because many alligators are being fed by people.
For the past few months, Florida Fish and Wildlife officers have received complaints about commercial fisherman feeding alligators. It took creativity to catch them in the act.
Two undercover officers posed as fisherman and staked out the lake. Armed with a video camera, they waited for their suspect to show up.
"You can see the alligator approach the vessel, then you can see him hold the fish and entice the alligator. Then he starts to throw this fish at the alligator. The alligator actually snaps for it," said Joanne Adams, Florida Fish and Wildlife officer.
Police say 35 year old James Jones was seen tossing chunks of crab meat to two gators.
Repeated requests to Jones for comment were unanswered.
In exclusive photos, the two gators are seen being trapped and destroyed. The large reptiles simply became too aggressive.
"People don't understand. When they feed the alligators, the alligator loses its fear of humans and sees humans as a food source," said Adams.
Officers admit catching people in the act is nearly impossible, but they vow to continue running similar undercover operations throughout the area.
Jones and his girlfriend Jackie O'Neal were charged with feeding alligators. Each faces 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission offers a reward for anyone who reports someone feeding an alligator.
Undercover sting targets people feeding gators