Brutal footage emerged showing a teenager hitting and killing a juvenile alligator with a machete.
According to NBC News, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said they’ve launched a criminal investigation into the horror at Bonita Springs, southwest Florida.
Experts say it not only constitutes harassing an alligator but also poaching which is illegal in the state.
Alex Link, a local Reptile handler in Lee County who has worked with alligators, said the alligator was likely caught by accident while fishing, but there was no reason to kill it.
“It’s just brutal for no reason, accidentally catching an alligator when you are fishing down here is something that can happen, and there are ways to safely handle it and get it off your hook, whereas that was pure torture for no reason”, he told NBC.
The FWC confirmed that they’d seen the video, which has been shared on social media, and has launched a criminal investigation into the attack.
“It would be a good outcome for these children to learn a lesson that they are not supposed to harass or kill a wild animal, or any animal. That should be part of a good outcome. The fact that they haven’t learned it so far is disturbing.” said Pamela Seay, a Legal Expert from Florida Gulf Coast University.
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