Florida wildlife officials have opened an investigation after a video surfaced showing a woman in a bikini petting a wild alligator. The exact timing of the footage has not been established.
Conservation advocates were quick to condemn the behavior, calling it reckless and potentially dangerous — not just for the woman involved, but for the alligator as well. When wild animals become conditioned to human contact, they can lose their natural wariness, which often leads to outcomes that are fatal for the gator.
Approaching or feeding wild alligators is illegal in Florida, and wildlife officials regularly remind residents and visitors that even a seemingly calm gator can move with startling speed. The state takes such incidents seriously, both as a public safety matter and as a wildlife protection issue.
The investigation is ongoing, and no further details about the woman's identity or location have been released. This story was first reported by the Palm Beach Post.
