Suspected illegal feeding ends in alligator killings

An investigation into the suspected feeding of alligators was recently launched and so far has led to several citations and the deaths of five alligators.

"We had some information come in from concerned citizens about feeding alligators in a certain location," said Lt. Tracy Tullos of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.

When officers arrived at the location, which was not disclosed because the case remains active, Tullos said it was clear numerous alligators had been fed by humans.

"It was very obvious," Tullos said. "Those alligators that approached us; there was no doubt they had become conditioned."

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Working with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Tullos said an investigation was launched.

"We just set up surveillance and got intel," Tullos said. "When our officers observed those cases, we contacted them (suspects) and addressed the violations we witnessed at that time. There were multiple cases made at one location."

While the investigation did not end well for the people Tullos said were seen feeding alligators, it ended even worse for the alligators — they were euthanized.

"There is no way we could relocate those alligators because no matter where we take them, they still associate people with food," Tullos said. "Once an alligator has been conditioned to feeding, it's our policy that the alligator be removed at that point."

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According to Ricky Flynt, MDWFP Alligator Program Coordinator, the alligators' loss of fear because of feeding was beyond anything he's seen.

"I've never encountered alligators that were that conditioned in a wild situation," Flynt said. "We're talking about alligators that were coming to a bridge as soon as you stopped on it and coming from as far as 450 yards away.

"There were five alligators from 7 feet, 4 inches to 10 feet, 5 inches. Two of them were 10 feet, 5 inches. This was something that was going on there for a while."

While an alligator attack on a human has never been documented in Mississippi, Flynt said feeding them increases the chances of it happening.

"Alligators are apex predators and they are wild animals," Flynt said. "They certainly can perceive pets, livestock or humans as prey.

"The only time we have a situation of serious concern is when someone has been feeding an alligator. They begin to lose their fear of humans and associate them with a source of food. The reason the alligators are put in that position where we have to destroy and euthanize them is the fault of people. It's a very serious situation."

Flynt asked that if anyone has knowledge of someone feeding alligators or suspects one has been fed to report it by calling 1-800-BE-SMART (800-237-6278).

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Contact Brian Broom at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com. Follow The Clarion-Ledger Outdoors on Facebook and @BrianBroom on Twitter.