Louisiana TikToker Arrested for Entering Alligator Pit at Florida Zoo

A Louisiana TikToker was arrested for illegally entering an alligator pit at a Florida zoo, it was reported earlier this week. The TikToker reportedly did an impression of late crocodile hunter Steve Irwin while inside the alligator enclosure.

Local authorities arrested the Louisiana man after him and videos uploaded by others of the incident were uploaded on social media.

Louisiana TikToker Arrested

(Photo : Image by Jake Heckey from Pixabay)

In its news release, The City of Tampa Government reported on Tuesday, June 6, that the man identified as 20-year-old Jacob Pursifull jumped over a fence at Busch Gardens. He "unlawfully" entered the park on Thursday afternoon, June 1. Pursifull was followed by two of his friends into the alligator enclosure.

One of his accomplices recorded the event and uploaded on different social media sites. Following an investigation, the Tampa Police used the social media posts as a lead to link the Louisiana TikToker with the illegal entry case.

The incident did not happen instantly. In fact, the TikToker went through other 'illegal acts' before entering the said enclosure.

According to the media company Dexerto, Pursifull initially pretended to be stuck in a "fake roller coaster" and stole a snack from a concession store in the area before entering the Florida zoo's alligator exhibit. He then jumped over two fences that only separates the reptiles from the general public.

With this, authorities charged for burglary and two misdemeanors counts of petit theft and trespassing.

Also Read: Texas Woman Faces $1000 Fine for Raising Alligator as Pet for 20 Years at Home

Zoo Rules and Regulations

Although zoos and parks are open to the general public for viewing and sometimes for interactions with wild animals, these establishments still have rules and regulations in accordance to federal or state law.

Amongst these legislations, one of the most fundamental laws protecting zoo animals is called the Animal Welfare Act (AWA). It is important since it is the only Federal statute that applies for the welfare of the animals, according to Michigan State University - College of Law's Animal Legal & Historical Center.

It is also for this reason, that zoo and park officials enforce strict policies when it comes to the interaction between visitors and caged animals. In the past, officials have emphasized that avoiding entry to animal enclosures is to ensure the protection of both humans and the animals.

Animal Zoo Attacks

In previous yet related incidents, cases have not turned out well for the person entering a wild animal enclosure.

In August 2022, a man was mauled to death by a lion after he entered its enclosure at Ghana's Accra Zoo, according to a government statement, as cited by Reuters. Based on the report, it was during noon when patrolling security guards noticed the victim climbing over a tall fence and entered the enclosure, which included a lion, a lioness, and two lion cubs.

In March 2020, a man was also mauled to death when he entered the enclosure of a tigress at India's Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park in Ranchi, India Today reported.