MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. — State wildlife officers say a headless, tailless alligator has appeared in a South Carolina creek in an apparent poaching case.
News outlets report the gator carcass with its head and tail removed was found floating in Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant on Sunday.
State Department of Natural Resources spokesman David Lucas says the investigation is difficult because the washed-up reptile remains are the only evidence. He says such cases rely a lot on information provided by the public.
Alligators are a protected species, but a public hunt is held each fall under a law the state Legislature passed to control their population. A "depredation" exclusion permits killing them in private areas from September through May, but they must be buried, composted, burned or put in a landfill that accepts them.
Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:
- Auburn gymnast from Huntersville breaks both legs during floor routine
- Deputies investigating after young boy found dead inside Indian Trail home
- Man gunned down outside apartment is second east Charlotte homicide in 24 hours
- FORECAST: Afternoon brings threat of heavy downpours, hail
- South Carolina firefighter adopts puppy he rescued from under pile of rocks
Associated Press
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
