Headless alligator found in Florida canal ignites search for culprit, state says

An alligator missing both its head and tail was found in a Florida canal, and state wildlife officials suspect it may be the work of a rogue hunter.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) learned of the discovery Wednesday, May 14, after someone saw a carcass in one of Cape Coral’s many canals. The city is about a 130-mile drive south from Tampa.

“An FWC officer responded to the scene to investigate the incident. This is currently still an active investigation,” FWC officials said in an email to McClatchy News. “It is worth noting that it is illegal to harvest or possess an alligator outside of alligator hunting season.”

Alligator heads and skulls are a prized trophy among hunters, as well as being a popular novelty sold on the internet. As for the tail, the large stretch of meat is prized for being “very tender,” experts say.

Gloria Baenen spotted the carcass May 13 after noticing a “strong, fishy odor” around her pontoon boat, WBBH reported.

“Someone said there was a gator but no head,” Baenen told the station. “I found it — belly-up, floating near the boat.”

The area of the discovery was identified by WINK as Bimini Basin, which is a body of water surrounded by homes and linked by canals to the Caloosahatchee River.

Investigators did not disclose the size of the alligator or a potential cause of death.

Florida allows alligator hunting for people 18 or older, but it’s by permit only, limited to specific areas, and the season runs from Aug. 15 to Nov. 1. Hunters who manage to harvest an alligator are required to report it to the FWC by the end of the season.

“The Statewide Alligator Hunt is a highly sought after limited entry hunt; there are often more than 15,000 applicants that will apply for approximately 7,000 permits,” FWC reports.