PHOTO BY TRACI HENRY
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is investigating the illegal killing and mutilation of this huge alligator, whose carcass was found Sunday in the Flint River in Dougherty County near the Cromartie Beach boat ramp. The gator’s tail – its best meat source – was missing, signifying that the poachers killed the gator for food. Thousands of people from throughout the country apply for a lottery to decide the 850 hunters that are permitted to harvest one alligator during a 30-day period in September and October. The penalty for illegal alligator hunting is a fine of at least $500 and a jail term of up to one year.
