SUWANNEE DEMOCRAT (Live Oak, Florida) 12 January 06 FWC investigates dead alligators
A large number of dead alligators found in the Mallory Swamp area in Lafayette County has the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) concerned.
According to Capt. Roy Brown, area supervisor for Lafayette County, numerous alligators have been found shot and floating along the North and South Canal grades and the L.A. Bennett grade which borders private lands and the Mallory Swamp Wildlife Management Area.
“We believe these are random shootings. No parts are taken after the animals are killed,” Brown said. “This is a useless and wasteful crime that tarnishes the image of ethical hunters.”
In the past year, FWC officers have arrested six subjects for killing five alligators in the general area. In those cases, however, the suspects were apprehended with alligators or parts and thought to be unrelated to this latest spree, according to Brown.
“Unfortunately, there are some dog hunters who may believe that by killing alligators, the potential threat to their hunting dogs is eliminated,” Brown said.
However, according to Allan Woodward, FWC biologist, alligators in north Florida eat very little during the fall and winter months and pose little threat to dogs.
“When water temperatures drop below 60 degrees, the gators stop feeding and become semi-dormant. This usually occurs in early December. They can come out and bask in the sun during a warm front, but they don’t eat during the winter,” Woodward explained.
Alligators are a protected species and are listed as “Species of Special Concern.” It is a third-degree felony to kill an alligator and punishable up to a $5,000 fine and/or five years imprisonment.
According to FWC Lt. Donald Buchanan, "any information you may have could be helpful, regardless of how insignificant you may think it is." You may call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert hotline toll free at 1-888-404-3922. Callers can remain anonymous and are eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 if the information leads to an arrest. Reports can also be made online at http://myfwc.com/law/Alert/.
A telephone interview with Capt. Roy Brown, area supervisor for Lafayette County, on Friday, Jan. 6, revealed no new updates regarding the dead alligators found in Mallory Swamp.
FWC investigates dead alligators