An airboat captain loses his hand while trying to impress tourists. The sign says: Don’t the alligators gators. It’s against the law
EVERGLADES CITY, Florida
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]Florida airboat captain whose hand was bitten off by a 9-foot alligator faces charges of feeding an alligator. It’s against the law in Florida to feed alligators and if you don’t understand why you need to get off whatever it is you’re drinking. Airboat captains are the worst offenders – including native Indian airboat operators and they, along with over-the-top “animal lovers” add to the mix of offenders. Alligators that have gotten used to being fed, and then denied their free lunch, have been known to jump into a boat or attack on land if denied their entitlements.
Collier County Jail records show 63-year-old Wallace Weatherholt was jailed and charged with unlawful feeding of an alligator and later posted $1,000 bond.
Before you can say s*#t, I’ll take your hand and the bait you dangled in front of me. Everglades Alligators warming up. Photo National Park Service – Shirey.
The Fort Myers News-Press first reported the arrest
The airboat operator was attacked as he was giving an Indiana family a tour of the Everglades. The family said the operatort hung a fish over the side of the boat and had his hand on the water’s surface when the alligator attacked.
Florida Fish and Wildlife officers tracked and euthanized the gator. The hand was found but could not be reattached.
A criminal investigation followed. Feeding alligators is a second-degree misdemeanor.
Anglers fish these same airboat waters but are much closer to a mensa mentality when it comes to not trusting or playing feeding games with gators.
