NEW JERSEY MAN WILL PAY $250 FINE FOR FEEDING ALLIGATOR IN CAPE CORAL

September 7, 2005

CONTACT: Gary Morse (863) 648-3200
Kim Jamerson (352) 333-9500

A New Jersey man pleaded no contest in court yesterday and will pay a $250 fine after Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers caught him deliberately feeding an alligator; an offense that the agency’s alligator experts say can be associated with fatal attacks against humans.

On Thursday, Aug. 18, FWC officers captured video of Robert J. Marone throwing scraps to an alligator from a dock in a Cape Coral canal. In addition to throwing the food, Marone was heard calling out to the animal, encouraging it to come closer. Officers charged Marone with feeding an alligator, a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to $500 and/or 60 days in jail.

“When fed, alligators quickly begin to associate human presence with a feeding opportunity. This altered behavior creates a significant danger that jeopardizes the safety of anyone who may come into contact with that animal,” said FWC Capt. Paul Ouellette.

FWC Officer Gary Clark and Investigator Larry Jernstedt acted on a tip from an anonymous source who had witnessed a man regularly feeding alligators. Officers staked out the area and were able to video and photograph Marone feeding the animal.

Ouellette said an unrelated fatal alligator attack that occurred in nearby Port Charlotte illustrates the danger. On the evening of July 15, Kevin Albert Murray, 41, of 1763 Stimmel St., North Port, was swimming in a canal off the Myakka River when a 12-foot-2-inch alligator attacked and killed him. Residents of the area said the alligator had been fed.

It is illegal to feed wild alligators, and the FWC strongly recommends not feeding other wildlife where alligators might be present. Feeding ducks, turtles or throwing fish scraps in the water where alligators can associate humans with a feeding opportunity, is tantamount to feeding an alligator. Information on how to prevent problems with alligators is listed in the FWC’s “Living with Alligators” brochure found online at MyFWC.com/gators/.

Anyone having information about the feeding of alligators is urged to report the incident to the toll-free Wildlife Alert Hotline at (888) 404-3922. Those reporting violations may remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward.

Nuisance alligators should be reported to the FWC by calling toll free (866) FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286).

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