STACEY PLAISANCE
Associated Press
LAFITTE, La. (AP) — Authorities have ordered swamp boat tour operators in the South Louisiana community of Jefferson Parish to stop feeding alligators after video of a tour guide doing so went viral.
There is no Louisiana law prohibiting luring and feeding of alligators, but it’s against local law in Jefferson Parish, where a tourist captured video of an Airboat Adventures tour guide swimming with and feeding two alligators.
At one point the video captures the guide putting a marshmallow in his mouth and letting an alligator snatch it away.
Sheriff’s spokesman Col. John Fortunato said Thursday his office has begun an investigation and is working closely with Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries. Fortunato says swamp tour companies were ordered to cease any feeding of the gators.
No charges had been filed as of Thursday.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
