VIDEO: Woman seen petting an alligator in a Florida river

Digital Journalist

MARION COUNTY, Fla. —

A video posted on social media showing a woman petting a wild alligator is under investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The location tagged on the video, which was posted to TikTok, is Silver Springs State Park in Marion County. FWC said an officer has been assigned to the case after multiple reports.

The incident comes just days after another woman was fatally mauled by an alligator in a nearby county. That same day, a boy had his hand bitten by a gator while putting a fish back in the water. He lost his hand after the bite.

‘Lives at risk’

Joshua Swander is a wildlife photographer and is known on social media as @FloridaGuideJosh. He reposted part of the video to call for accountability.

“Not only are they putting themselves at risk, but also they’re putting the lives at risk of future people who are gonna be out there,” he said in the video.

In an interview with sister station WESH, Swander said he wants locals and tourists to remember how to treat alligators.

“Following (recent) attacks and to now have this happen, I think it’s a really good opportunity for the agencies… this should be a teaching moment,” Swander said.

Against the law

FWC said it is against the law to feed, entice or capture alligators in Florida, except for permitted hunters or trappers during alligator hunting season.

The investigation is ongoing.