Two social media influencers are under investigation by the Florida Wildlife Commission after a video surfaced of them petting alligators in Silver Springs State Park. The incident occurred days after a swimmer was killed by an alligator in Florida.
The video, posted to TikTok by user Kileigh Rose, showed the influencers paddling in a canoe and interacting with an alligator. One clip, which garnered over 2.1 million views before being deleted, featured one of the individuals reaching into the water to stroke the reptile's back. "Did you get that? I just pet the s--t out of him," the influencer said in the footage. Another clip, viewed 21 million times, showed an alligator thrashing near their canoe.
The Florida Wildlife Commission considers petting alligators to be harassment and may impose penalties including a $500 fine or up to 60 days in jail. The investigation into this incident is ongoing.
This event follows a series of recent alligator attacks in Florida. On June 28, hiker Brittany Clark, 31, was reportedly attacked while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River. Separately, on June 27, an 11-year-old boy lost a hand during an attack while fishing. On July 3, 71-year-old fisherman James Grayson McMicken escaped an attack by striking an alligator and poking it in the eye.