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Yet Another Croc Killing Investigated: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Are Now Investigating Three Cases of Illegal Reptile Killing in the Keys.

Posted on: Monday, 17 April 2006, 12:00 CDT

By Jessica Machetta, Florida Keys Keynoter, Marathon

Apr. 15--The FWC reports they've been tipped off that a saltwater crocodile, an endangered species, may have been killed recently on Little Torch Key. If so, it's a federal felony offense. Agency officials hope to get answers when they interview a suspect next week.

This would be the second instance of saltwater croc slayings in the Lower Keys.

"The other one occurred [in February] in which two crocodiles on Sugarloaf were found shot to death," FWC Officer Steve Acton said. "They'd either been shot at the Blue Hole or near the Blue Hole."

The Blue Hole, a freshwater reserve on Big Pine Key, is a well-known home to the endangered crocs, as well as a number of alligators, also a protected species.

The FWC and Fish & Wildlife report two men were arrested early this week for the killing of a protected American alligator taken from the Blue Hole March 24.

Timothy B. Goll, 18, of Marathon and Jordan Milo, 20, of Big Pine Key are charged with a third-degree felony for the act, which reportedly included luring the animal to them with dead birds, shooting its eyes out with a pellet gun and then bludgeoning it to death with a baseball bat.

Two other Marathon teens are also suspects in the case, and the foursome reportedly hauled the animal to a Marathon residence for a "gator barbecue."

The FWC says the unwanted body parts were dumped in area canals, some of which were later recovered by FWC officers.

"The Turtle Hospital [in Marathon] provided X-rays of the remains of the alligator and birds that were found which provided forensic evidence," Fish & Wildlife Officer Lester Pulley said. FWC "Officer Gordon Sharp's experience led to a swift investigation" cumulating in the arrests.

Charges filed against the other two suspects that allegedly took part in the killing are being prosecuted by the Monroe County State Attorney's Office.

Fish & Wildlife reports the birds allegedly used to lure the gator are also protected, by the International Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Investigators believe the alligator is a female that lived for years in the Blue Hole with a larger male. She nested last year, they say, though it is believed her nest was destroyed by flooding from Hurricane Wilma. Officials report they had hoped she would nest again this year.

The agencies say there are between 50 to 100 alligators living in the Lower Keys.

The December killing of a saltwater crocodile in Key Largo, known as Charlie, received widespread attention after witnesses found the animal had been dragged behind an SUV for several miles. Charlie later died at a Miami MetroZoo.

"All five men in Charlie case have surrendered," Acton said.

They each face felony charges and could serve five years for each count.

The FWC is asking anyone with information about previous slayings, or anyone who witnesses a reptile being molested, injured or killed, to call the agency at 289-2320.

"There's also a resource alert hotline that gives callers an opportunity to call in anything they see and it's possible they can receive awards for tips," he said. That number is (888) 404-FWCC.

Acton says there are no documented crocodile attacks in the state, and that they are timid animals, afraid of humans, by nature.

"These are not the aggressive crocodiles you see on the Discovery Channel with [crocodile hunter] Steve Irwin," he said. "They shy away from people, unless they're being fed."

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Copyright (c) 2006, Florida Keys Keynoter, Marathon

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Source: Florida Keys Keynoter, Marathon, Fla.

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