‘Thoughtless’: On Fripp Island, a man picks up alligator and tosses it. It’s on video
Authorities are trying to find individuals they suspect illegally harassed an alligator on Fripp Island in an incident that was captured on video and called “thoughtless” by an island security official.
A few men can be seen approaching the gator, at night, and trying to grab its tail as people off camera laugh and offer encouragement.
“Throw him in the pool!” one man yells.
Finally, one of the men picks up the small alligator by the tail and hurls it in the air toward a pond, the grainy video shows.
Gene Lowery, chief of security on the island, said several adult men were recorded harassing the alligator, which is illegal, on Bonito Road near Ocean Creek Drive at 11:46 p.m. Tuesday. The video was taken by a person who was not involved in the incident, Lowery said. Authorities learned about the alleged harassment and video later.
“This is a classic example of what we expect to be mature adults abusing wildlife in a really unnecessary and thoughtless manner,” Lowery told the Beaufort Gazette and Island Packet Friday.
The incident, which occurred in a residential area, remains under investigation, Lowery said. Fripp Island security has sought assistance, Lowery said, from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
It’s not clear what the alligator’s fate was, he said. At this time of year, in this location, larger alligators that inhabit the area are running off small alligators or even feeding on them, he said.
Lowery is seeking assistance from the community in identifying the individuals in the video, which has limited clarity. Contact Fripp Island Security at 843-838-2334 with information.
SCDNR is aware of photos and video that appear to show a group of people harassing an alligator, said Stephen Fastenau, a SCDNR spokesman. The agency, he said, is monitoring the situation for additional information.
SCDNR also investigated an incident of possible alligator harassment on Fripp Island in 2021 involving a much larger alligator. In that case, a man was charged with molesting the alligator. Molesting, injuring or killing alligators can carry a fine of up to $2,500 and 30 days in jail.
The American alligator is native to South Carolina. Although it was once listed as a federally endangered species, populations have rebounded and its status has been upgraded to threatened. The DNR instituted a hunting season in 2008.
In 2013, an Ohio man received a confidential settlement following a 2009 alligator attack at Fripp in which his arm was bitten off while he was golfing.
- Don’t feed alligators. This is a most important rule as feeding alligators threatens the safety of both people and animals. Providing food for these wild animals makes them bolder and encourages them to seek out people
- Keep your distance. Although they may look slow and awkward, alligators are extremely powerful and can move with a startling burst of speed on land over short distances.
- Do not attempt to move alligators out of the road. If you see an alligator on the move, leave it alone and let it pass on through. Alligators move the most in spring and summer when they are breeding.
- It is illegal to harass or throw things at alligators. They are living organisms that warrant respect and it is not productive to annoy them.
- Never disturb nests or small alligators. Some female alligators protect their young and may become aggressive if provoked.
- Do not attempt to keep alligators as pets. Keeping a baby alligator as a pet is a foolish idea, not to mention illegal in some states.
- Keep your pets and children away from alligators. Large alligators do not recognize the difference between domestic pets and wild food sources.
- It is best to avoid swimming in areas that are known habitats for large alligators but at the least, never swim alone.
- Do not corner alligators if participating in recreational activities, such as skiing, canoeing, kayaking, or even taking photographs.
This story was originally published July 8, 2022 at 10:46 AM with the headline "‘Thoughtless’: On Fripp Island, a man picks up alligator and tosses it. It’s on video."
