Florida wildlife officials probing video of kayaker petting alligator
· Toronto Sun
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An investigation has been launched after social media video appears to show a woman in a kayak petting an alligator in Florida waters.
The TikTok video was posted by user @kileigh.rose, who identifies herself as Kileigh Rose Coleman, of St. Pete, and had more than 2.1 million views before it was taken down, WESH reported.
However, the video has been widely shared online and shows a woman in a pink bikini paddling in a clear kayak near Silver Springs State Park in Marion County with the caption, “My friend likes to pet alligators.”
The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was made aware of the video and is now investigating the matter.
Joshua Swander, a wildlife photographer, shared the video on his social media to call for accountability, according to the outlet.
“Not only are they putting themselves at risk, but also they’re putting the lives at risk of future people who are gonna be out there,” he said in his own Instagram video .
Recent fatal attacks
Swander told WESH that this should be “a teaching moment” and he hopes locals and visitors remember how alligators should be treated given recent attacks.
Last week, 11-year-old Brodie Terry lost his hand in a brutal attack by an alligator while fishing from shore in Marion County.
“The gator rolled, and that’s what ultimately severed Brodie’s hand,” a family member revealed.
Doctors tried to save his hand before it was later amputated.
Days before that, a Florida woman was killed after she was mauled to death by a gator while swimming in shallow waters of Econlockhatchee River in Seminole County, Fla.
“She’s still breathing,” Brittany Clark’s best friend told 911 dispatchers, adding that “one of her arms is completely off and the other one is like attached barely.”
Clark died on the way to hospital.
Don’t feed (or touch) the animals
The FWC shared on its website that it is “illegal and dangerous” to touch or feed alligators and crocodiles in Florida — “with the exception of contracted nuisance alligator trappers or hunters that are permitted during the statewide alligator hunting season.”
The agency noted: “Remember, never feed an alligator and keep your distance if you see one. Swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours. And keep pets on a leash and away from the water.”