Alligators are not to be fed. A couple from Florida raised eyebrows after a video of them feeding a wild gator went viral online.
A Couple From Florida Feed an Alligator
In a video uploaded on Instagram, a couple can be seen seated in chest-deep water. The man is wearing what appears to be a white top and white cap, while the woman is sporting a red top.
The footage shows an alligator approaching them, and the man takes a portion of the sandwich from the woman and feeds it to the gator.
NDTV says that the adventurous video has garnered thousands of views and likes. The video was credited to @daddyog1, whose TikTok account contains videos of airboat adventures and close encounters with alligators. It is unclear when and where the video was taken, according to Fox 35.
However, many netizens disapproved of what they did because it was dangerous and may pose other humans at risk when encountering the alligators because the latter would associate people with food.
One netizen said gators and croc attack people, animals, and children due to the said activity, so the duo should be arrested. Another said the couple was setting up the next person to the gator, who would be surprised when the beast approaches them for food.
A different user said he has a friend, a nuisance gator hunter in Florida, and he has a job because of people like the couple in the video. The netizen said gators would approach humans the next time for food.
Nicole Ziewacz said it's illegal to feed alligators in Florida, so the pair should be ticketed or arrested, noting that what they did is why gators and crocodiles attack people. Another netizen echoed the same sentiment and said the activity was dangerous because it would make alligators think they could come to people for food.
Feeding Alligators Is Illegal in Florida
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds people about the serious injuries alligators could cause when summer is in full swing because the reptiles tend to be more active and visible.
FWC advises people to keep their distance from the gators. It also stressed that the public should never feed an alligator because they are fed; they can lose their natural wariness and instead associate people with the availability of food, which could lead to dangerous incidents for everyone who could encounter the alligator the future.
FWC also noted that feeding alligators is illegal and dangerous in the state. It encourages anyone to call FWC's Wildlife Alert at 888-404-FWCC or visit MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert if they see anyone feeding a gator.
The Wildlife Alert Reward Program accepts fishing, wildlife, or boating violation reports from anonymous callers. One may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 if the information will result in an arrest or citation.
RELATED ARTICLE: Homeowner Shot a 7-Foot Alligator 4 Times in the Head While the Beast Was Biting His Dog; FWC Will Not File Charges for the Killing
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