FWC Law Enforcement Report: Gopher Tortoise Possession And Illegal Alligator Hunting

September 20, 2018

The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during  period August 24 through September 6 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

Officer Lewis was checking users in the Blackwater State Forest when he saw a gopher tortoise in the bed of a truck. He identified the owner of the truck and evidence indicated that it had been in the truck for a while, and the man was far from where he picked the tortoise up. Officer Lewis charged the man with the unlawful possession of a threatened species.

Officer Hutchinson and Lieutenant Hahr were patrolling near the Escambia River when they saw a boat with alligator hunters. After watching the subjects attempting to take alligators, they contacted them to check their permits. Two of the three men onboard were permitted to take alligators, but their permits were not for Escambia County, which included the tributary where they were located. The two men were cited for attempting to take alligator outside their harvest area.

This report represents some events the FWC handled; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.

NorthEscambia.com photo.

Comments

2 Responses to “FWC Law Enforcement Report: Gopher Tortoise Possession And Illegal Alligator Hunting”

  1. John Q.Public on September 22nd, 2018 6:40 pm

    @ekg
    Animal Control routinely removes problem alligators from pools and habitated areas across Florida.

  2. ekg on September 20th, 2018 9:45 am

    Too bad our government doesn’t fine or throw alligators in jail for threatening us or our pets.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News