Alligators Killed Illegally in Seadrift

Alligators And Animals Found Dead in Seadrift

Authorities are investigating illegal activity when several alligators and animals were found dead in an irrigation canal in Seadrift Texas.

Originally spotted by a local nature photographer, five American alligators as well as a turtle and a few shorebirds were found dead in the canal in Seadrift this past weekend.

How did they die?

The alligators had been killed by gunshot, causing concern, as hunting alligators without a license is illegal. Not to mention why anyone would shoot the alligators and potentially the other animals just to leave them in the canal.

Calhoun County Game Wardens Opens Investigation

According to Crossroads Today, an investigation has been opened by the Calhoun County game wardens. "American Alligators are protected by law in all 10 states where they live and hunting an alligator without a hunting license is illegal,"  Texas Parks and Wildlife offered. "In all other counties in Texas, except the 22 core counties listed: Angelina, Brazoria, Calhoun, Chambers, Galveston, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Matagorda, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Refugio, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler and Victoria counties the open season to hunt and kill alligators is from April 1st through June 30th."

Even then, a license is required.

The benefits of alligators in our waters are plentiful.

Alligators are apex predators that feed on nutrias which wreak havoc on vegetation. They burrow and make tunnels creating habitats for fish and marine invertebrates as well as providing reservoirs that are useful during droughts. As creepy as they might appear, alligators are critical for the balance of our ecosystem and hunting them off-season or without a permit is illegal.

If you have information about the illegal killing of these alligators please call.

If you have information regarding the deaths of these alligators or see any illegal hunting please call Operation Game Thief Texas Wildlife Crime Stoppers Program at (800)-792-4263.