Target: Martha Williams, Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service
Goal: Ban the brutal killing of keystone alligators in national wildlife refuges.
A disturbing photo of a car dragging the limp body of a slain alligator in its trail sparked outrage online. Unfortunately, strapping alligators to the backs of cars—as well as ruthlessly slaughtering these creatures in the first place—is totally legal in Florida. This year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved the first-ever alligator hunt in the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, which is supposed to be a protected area. There are few regulations governing alligator hunting in Florida, and hunters may use cruel methods of trapping and killing innocent alligators. One particular method involves using a pole that shoots a bullet into the animal’s brain—also known as a bangstick—that may leave the animal conscious and suffering for hours before dying.
Alligators are a keystone species in the environments of which they are a part. This means they play a particularly crucial role in the maintenance of ecosystems, especially by regulating prey populations so they don’t get out of control. Animal reserves should be places where wildlife can roam free of human disruption and hunting. There is absolutely no reason to permit the killing of any species in a wildlife refuge center, especially one as crucial as the alligator.
Sign this petition to demand an end to alligator hunting in the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Director Williams,
The recent approval of alligator hunting in Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is quite upsetting. These protected regions are supposed to be sanctuaries for the species they home, and animals within their premises are supposed to be safe from human activity. As alligators are a keystone species in the ecosystems to which they belong, alligator hunting can potentially affect the rest of the flora and fauna living in the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. Hunters show little to no respect for the animal’s life, and cruel methods of trapping and killing–such as using a bangstick to shoot a bullet into the alligator’s brain–are commonly used.
We are asking you, Ms. Williams, to prohibit the killing of alligators on protected plots of land.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Mark Gstohl
These barbaric,insecure men deserve to be Federally prosecuted.Anyone that enjoys killing and torturing animals is a danger to society.
Prosecuted? You mean you’d let the live? No way!
You are 100 percent right on. I’m sure this doesn’t stop with just alligators.
NO THEY ARE LESS THAN HUMAN BEINGS SICK PHYCOPATHS WHO NEED TO BE DELETED OFF THE FACE OF THIS EARTH!!!
The only good hunter is a dead hunter. Hunt the hunters!
What gross disgusting individual!! Why do you think you look good on 2 dead innocent creatures!!! Absolutely disgusting and cruel!!!! Why do you allow such cruel and unfair hunting!!!! Again, absolutely DISGUSTING!!!!!!! STOP the ABUSE and CRUELTY NOW!!!!
What kind of nutcases would do this? These are seriously sick people.
Not surprising that the United States Fish and Wildlife Service approved the alligator hunt in the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. The fact that the fish and wildlife consists of all men who enjoy killing/slaughtering animals for sport.
Bunch of evil fucking stupid rednecks. Why am I not surprised? I mean, look at who their shit-eating governor is. When Texas secedes from the Union, I hope like hell they take Florida with them.
Tracey, believe me, it’s people like those heartless troglodytes that make compassionate native Floridians, like myself, cringe. Despite the fact that they seem to steal all the air in the room, many Floridians are decent animal-loving individuals. And don’t even get me started about our excuse for a governor. I sure didn’t vote for him! He’s a total embarassment.
I agree
Do they know anything else, other than – kill? Human waste.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU EXPECT FROM FLORIDIANS WHERE THERE IS A MIX OF RACES OF THE LOWEST CLASS EXCLUDING SENIOR CITIZENS WHO LIVE IN EXCLUSIVE PLACES
This is an EXTREME ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME!
MAX JAIL for these brainless and primitive scumbags, followed by hefty fines!
These alligators are the NATURAL LEGACY of the ENTIRE WORLD, not a private property of mentally-deranged human garbage!
FLORIDA, you are responsible for the most grotesque destruction of our nature by allowing these atrocities to happen and not taking action to stop it once and for all..
There are some truly sick bastards out there!! Tie them to the back of their cars and drag them along!!
That’s excellent – wish you were the Judge!
Das sind alles kranke Monster mit denen man das gleiche tun sollte,in meinen Augen sind das gestörte Kreaturen aber keine Menschen,jeder der Tiere misshandelt und quält gehört auf den elektrischen Stuhl.Der Mensch ist das schlimmste Wesen auf der Erde.
Allowing killing of any animals in a refuge is terrible as this is a place we’re animals are to be protected and allowed to roan free of hunters. Why did the state of Florida allow this to happen? Humans are responsible for the destruction of the environment and the animals that inhabit it. The amount of destruction going on in that state is out of control, bulldozing everything in site for housing, roads, stores and everything suffers.
Agree all comments these bastards need to be shot with this . Whats wrong with laws allowing this bullshit people dont give a fuck about animals. Line all these cruel people and put a bullet in them . No excuse for animal cruelty and the laws need to to there job or put one in them too.
This is an example of low life ignorance. But … they have guns! Florida is made for this type of individual. Until we have laws to defend ALL animals this caliber of person will keep destroying everything in their sight. Only tough laws, enforced laws, judges who will pass rulings to support tough laws, idiots who will spend time in prison for this crime … only this will be able to stop the slaughter. Are humans the only animal with rights. Sometimes it’s hard to tell which is the animal.
It’s so very much part of AmeriKKKan culture. How despicable!
Let’s hope that someone will follow your suggestion
An eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth
Tie these bastards to the back of their cars and drag them until they are dead!
Lowlife sick morons! Put them in a cage to rot.
Do the same to them. Heartless losers.
Anyone whom KILLS AN ALLIGATOR AND ALL OTHER ANIMALS CRUELLY AND IN ABUSIVE WAYS SHPULD GET THE SAME JUSTICE!!!! STOP SHOOTING ALLIGATORS IN THEIR HEADS AND DRAGGING THEIR LIMB BODIES NEHIND VEHICLES IMMEDIATELY!!!!
Tie these lowlife psychopathic vile and evil monster bastards to the back of their cars and drag them until they suffer in
excruciating agony until these lowlife monsters are dead!
The only good hunter is a dead hunter. Hunt the vile and evil psychopathic lowlife hunters! Death to them all by torture.
Eradication from our planet of all these vile and evil psychopathic vile and evil lowlife monster hunters must be immediately. Kill them all.
My heart aches for the precious and helpless innocent Alligators.
No precious and innocent animals (SENTIENT BEINGS)are safe from these vile and evil psychopathic lowlife hunting monster bastards.