The alligator caretakers at Gatorland agree. "We don't want anybody feeding wildlife," FWC spokesman Chad Weber said. In addition, Florida outlaws the feeding of other animals such as bears, coyotes, foxes, raccoons and nonhuman primates.īut regardless of the legality, FWC discourages people from feeding any wild animal, in part to prevent the animals from losing their ability to gather food naturally. It is illegal to harass or feed any animal on the list, which includes many species also protected by federal laws. The American alligator is among more than 130 animals included on Florida's endangered and threated species list. "You want to come to Gatorland or places like this to be able to feed alligators, where you can do it safely." "We don't want people feeding alligators," said Fisher. In a video posted on his Facebook page, Fortin can be seen petting and feeding an alligator that approached him on the shore of a pond adjacent to his backyard. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently issued a $100 citation to Paul Fortin for allegedly feeding wildlife. The Daytona Beach man was taken into custody because he refused to sign the citation, according to authorities. "They're opportunistic feeders," Fisher said. "So if it's easier for them to get their food, they're going to take the easier way instead of chasing down fish or turtles that they naturally eat." The same, unnatural scene of alligators approaching people on the shore can occur when wild alligators are fed by humans, according to Fisher. "Gators! Come and get it, gators! Let's go," Fisher yells, prompting more than a dozen of the reptiles to surface and begin swimming toward his voice. – Alligators in the wild typically avoid humans, often slipping into the water and quietly submerging as people approach.īut most alligators housed at Gatorland are attracted to people, particularly when Brandon Fisher calls out to them from one of the boardwalks inside the Orlando wildlife attraction.
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