CAUGHT BY THE TAIL

By Sr. Agent Mitchell Darby

Late one evening, while patrolling Lake Fausse Point State Park, I made contact with two fishermen who were ending their trip for the day.  The park was closing, and no one is allowed on its waters after dark.  While I was conducting a boating safety check, the two men began to act strangely as I asked them questions about their fishing trip.  After inspecting their ice chest for fish, I noticed a tail sticking out from under the front compartment of the boat.  I asked them if they had any other wildlife onboard, and they both stated no.  I then pointed to the tail and asked them to explain that.  One man stated that they were going to let it go by their camp, while the other man said that he was going to rehabilitate it because of its deformed jaw.  Both men were charged with illegal possession of alligators, eggs, or their skins.  The alligator was released.